Aims: Diabetic Neuropathy Pain (DNP) is a chronic condition that arises from nerve damage caused by prolonged hyperglycemia. It leads to burning, tingling, and sharp pain, primarily in the extremities. This study examines the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in mitigating Recurrent Negative Thoughts, reducing anxiety sensitivity, and enhancing emotional adjustment in individuals with DNP.
Method and Materials: The study employed a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test design with a control group, involving 36 patients with DNP from Ardabil clinics located in Ardabil, Iran in 2024. Patients were purposively sampled and randomly assigned to intervention (n = 18) and control (n = 18) groups. The intervention group underwent eight 90-minute CBT sessions, while the control group received no intervention. Data were gathered using the Repetitive Negative Thinking Questionnaire, Anxiety Sensitivity Index-3, and Emotional Adjustment Measure. The collected data were analyzed using MANCOVA in SPSS-27.
Findings: The results demonstrated that CBT significantly improves emotional adjustment (F = 49.46) and reduces Recurrent Negative Thoughts (F = 45.41), as well as physical (F = 52.27), cognitive (F = 59.61), and social dimensions of anxiety sensitivity (F = 38.34) in individuals with DNP (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: The findings highlight CBT's transformative impact on the psychological resilience of DNP patients, fostering adaptive emotional regulation and diminishing maladaptive thought patterns. By addressing the interconnected dimensions of anxiety sensitivity and emotional adjustment, CBT offers a pathway to holistic pain management, emphasizing its potential as a cornerstone in the psychological care of chronic pain conditions.