Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Schema Therapy on Sexual Function and Body Image in Women with Breast Cancer

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Women with breast cancer have problems with sexual function and body image. Therefore, the aim of present research was comparing the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and schema therapy on sexual function and body image in women with breast cancer.

Methodology: This research was a quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design with a control group. The research population was all women with breast cancer who referred to Shahid Rajaee Hospital of Karaj in the spring and summer seasons of 2021 year. Number of 45 women with breast cancer using available sampling method were selected as samples and randomly assigned to three equal groups, including two experimental groups and one control group. Each of the experimental groups underwent cognitive-behavioral therapy and schema therapy for eight weeks and one session per week for 45 minutes, respectively, and the control group remained on the waiting list for training. The research instruments included the Women's Sexual Function Index (Rosen et al., 2000) and Body Image Scale (Hopwood et al., 2001). The data of this study were analyzed using analysis of variance with repeated measures and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS software at a significance level of 0.05.

Findings: The results of this research showed that both treatment methods, including cognitive-behavioral therapy and schema therapy improved sexual function and body image in women with breast cancer, and the results were maintained in the follow-up phase (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between treatment methods in improving their sexual function and body image (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Based on the findings reported above, specialists and therapists can use both methods of cognitive-behavioral therapy and schema therapy alongside other effective treatment methods to improve sexual function and body image in women with breast cancer.