Efficacy of Internet-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Endometriosis (EdiTh)
Endometriosis
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Endometriosis focused on measuring Endometriosis, Behavioral medicine, Internet based therapy, Cognitive behavioral therapy, Women's Health
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- People with female-assigned reproductive systems aged 18 to 45 years
- Medically confirmed endometriosis diagnosis
- Impairment of quality of life due to endometriosis defined as a value of ≥ 15 points across all scales in the Endometriosis Health Profile 30 + 23 (EHP-30 + 23, (Jones, Kennedy, Barnard, Wong & Jenkinson, 2001a)
- Adequate German language skills
- Access to a personal computer (PC) / laptop and adequate internet connection
Exclusion Criteria:
- Serious mental disorder: unipolar severe depression (Beck Depression Inventory II: raw value ≥ 29), presuicidal syndrome, bipolar affective disorder, unipolar mania, psychotic disorder, alcohol or substance dependence
- Psychotherapeutic treatment: currently or within the last two years
- Use of benzodiazepines (prevents learning processes that are important for psychotherapy)
- Changes in the intake or use (e.g. start / change of dose / discontinuation) of antidepressants and hormonal contraceptives within the last three months
- Current or planned intrauterine insemination (IUI), in-vitro-fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment with hormonal stimulation within the next eight months
- Suffering from one of the following diseases: malignant tumor, in particular breast, cervical or ovarian cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, a known bacterial or viral infection (e.g. tuberculosis (TBC), hepatitis A virus (HAV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV)
- Current pregnancy or birth of a child within the last six months, breastfeeding within the last six months
Sites / Locations
- Philipps University Marburg, Dept. of Psychology, Division of Clinical Psychology and PsychotherapyRecruiting
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Other
Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy
Waiting list
Internet-based CBT for patients with endometriosis: The experimental group has access to an online training consisting of 8 modules, one per week. Modules comprise of 1) psychoeducation (e.g., information about endometriosis and its treatment); 2) & 3) cognitive strategies (e.g., identifying and modifying dysfunctional cognitions); 4&5) pain and stress management (e.g. activity plans, relaxation techniques); 6) emotion regulation strategies (e.g. recognition and acceptance of emotions); 7) communication training (e.g. detection and communication of needs); 8) prophylaxis (e.g. summary of intervention, plans for the future). Participants are in weekly written contact with their assigned therapist via the news function of the training platform, receiving feedback on the content or getting answers to open questions.
During the waiting period, patients receive no treatment. After a waiting time of 5 months, patients of the waitlist receive the same iCBT treatment as the experimental group.