[Effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on patients's quality of life with alopecia areata in skin disease and leishmaniasis research centre of Isfahan]

ABSTRACT

Researches showed that there is a relationship among alopecia areata, psychological factors and prevalence of psychological disorders. In addition alopecia areata has a great effect on the quality of life of these patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy on female patients's the quality of life with alopecia areata. This is a case-control study with pre and post-test exam which is carried out in Isfahan Skin Disease and Leishmaniasis research Center. The participants consisted of 20 alopecia areata patients diagnosed by specialists. The questionnaire was Skindex-16 which was completed by patients before and after the intervention. Cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy was done on the case group in eight sessions over a period of two months. Data was analyzed with covariance [ANOVA]. The mean of quality of life scores in experimental group in v.s control group significantly decreased [P<0.05]. it seems, cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy couses in quality of life improvement in patients with alopecia areata