Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis with Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial
Strobl E, Schubert K, Lohse J, Weise C (2025)
Publication Type: Conference contribution, Abstract of lecture
Publication year: 2025
Event location: Wien
Abstract
Background Endometriosis is a chronic gynaecological condition affecting approximately 10% of individuals with a uterus of reproductive age. Symptoms include pain and infertility, which negatively affect health-related quality of life. Current treatments are primarily symptomatic (e.g. hormonal therapies, surgery), often associated with limited long-term efficacy and side effects. Furthermore, patients continuously wish for less invasive treatments. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has proven effective in improving health-related quality of life in various chronic illnesses but has not yet been studied in endometriosis. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of internet-based CBT (iCBT) for endometriosis in a randomised controlled trial.
Methods A total of 164 endometriosis patients were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=83) or the waitlist (n=81) group. The iCBT training consisted of eight weekly modules covering topics such as cognitive restructuring and emotion regulation, with weekly therapist feedback. Primary outcomes included endometriosis-related quality of life (E-QoL) and pain-related disability, measured at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up.
Results Mixed-effects models revealed significant group x time interaction effects favouring the iCBT group for E-QoL (F(2, 270)=9.45, p<0.001) and pain-related impairment (F(2, 275)=5.18, p=0.006). Post-hoc analyses indicated improved E-QoL at post-treatment and follow-up (p=0.007) and reduced pain-related impairment at post-treatment (p=0.006) in the iCBT group compared to the control group.
Conclusion The findings demonstrate that iCBT significantly improves E-QoL and reduces pain-related impairment in individuals with endometriosis. The developed iCBT program constitutes a promising intervention, underscoring the potential of psychotherapeutic approaches in managing endometriosis.
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Germany (DE)How to cite
APA:
Strobl, E., Schubert, K., Lohse, J., & Weise, C. (2025, August). Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis with Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Paper presentation at 18. International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (ICBM 2025), Wien, AT.
MLA:
Strobl, Elena, et al. "Improving Quality of Life in Endometriosis with Internet-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial." Presented at 18. International Congress of Behavioral Medicine (ICBM 2025), Wien 2025.
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