Assessment of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Related to Stress in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Published in: Chronicle of Diabetes Research and Practice Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 86 - 94
• Main Authors: Pandey, Shambhavi, Deshpande, Prasanna R., Karpe, Pranita, Sahani, Anupriya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Wolters Kluwer - Medknow 01.07.2025
• Edition: 2
• Subjects: Brief Communication; stress; Perceived Stress Scale-10; diabetes; Cognitive behavioral therapy
• ISSN: 2773-1316; 2773-1324
• DOI: 10.4103/cdrp.cdrp_2_25

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is exhibiting an upward trend, demanding urgent action. Chronic stress, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), prompts our investigation into the potential of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), a proven first-line treatment for psychosocial disorders. The study explores the application of CBT in alleviating signs of distress, aiming to enhance overall well-being in T2DM patients. Objective: To assess CBT's effectiveness in T2DM patients. Methods: A randomized controlled trial enrolled 45 T2DM patients (aged 18 + years). The intervention group (n = 30) received six structured CBT sessions totaling 255 h (mean: 8.5 h) over 1 month, while the control group (n = 15) received standard diabetes care. Perceived stress levels were measured using Cohen's Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) before and after the intervention. Additional scales, including Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale further evaluated psychological distress in the intervention group. The CBT intervention was tailored to address distress, incorporating cognitive restructuring, stress management techniques, and coping strategies. Results: An independent t-test revealed a statistically significant difference in mean PSS-10 scores between the control and intervention groups (P < 0.0001). Notably, within the intervention group (n = 30), paired t-tests showed a highly significant change (P < 0.0001) in pre- and post-CBT scores, indicating lower stress levels. HbA1c levels decreased remarkably, with a mean difference of −1.01 (P < 0.0001), signifying improved glycemic control. Conclusion: These findings align with previous studies, reinforcing CBT's effectiveness in mitigating distress and improving glycemic control. In addition, it unveils captivating insights into learned helplessness, feelings of loss, repressed anger linked to diabetes onset, and the potential benefits of gratitude practices in stress management. The complex interplay between psychological and physical health underlines the importance of integrating psychological interventions into holistic healthcare paradigms. Furthermore, future endeavors should explore the long-term impact of CBT on stress levels and other pivotal outcomes among T2DM patients.