Efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: A Feasibility Pilot Study

Abstract

Objective: The current study was conducted to determine the efficacy of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Chronic Pain (CBT-cp) in women presenting with Chronic Pelvic Pain (CPP). 

Study Design: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) research study 
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan, Pakistan, from July 2024 to September 2024. 

Methods: In the present study, 60 women aged 18-46 years were enrolled out of 83 found eligible. Thirty women were assigned to each arm of RCT including intervention (CBT) arm and control arm. The CBT arm received 
weekly sessions of CBT each for 50 minutes by a qualified therapist. The Impact of Female Chronic Pelvic Pain Questionnaire (IF-CPPQ) was used as the outcome measure at the baseline, post therapy and follow up.  

Results: A total of 56 female patients completed the study; 27 were in the CBT group and 29 were in the Control group. The CBT group demonstrated lower mean CPP scores, whereas the Control group showed higher mean CPP scores. The t-test results were statistically significant for the CBT group. While, the CPP scores did not differ significantly from baseline in the Control group.   

Conclusion: This RCT indicated that CBT-cp is an effective non pharmacological intervention for CPP reduction in women. Participants in the CBT-cp intervention group reported significant post-therapy improvement in pain intensity, whereas the Control group showed no change.