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Psychotherapy in Patients With Endometriosis: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Versus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (T-ENDO)

31. oktober 2026 opdateret af: Fiammetta Cosci

Testing Efficacy of Psychotherapeutic Interventions in Patients With ENDOmetriosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy vs Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

The aim of the present study is to compare two types of psychotherapeutic interventions in women with endometriosis and/or adenomyosis: cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). The study will examine whether these therapies differ in their effects on health-related quality of life. We hypothesis a different effect on health related quality of life pain-related difficulties, emotional well-being, fatigue, sexual functioning, and other aspects of daily life since the two interventions aim at different purposes and results. CBT is based on restructuring of thought, thus the aim and the result are activating a change. ACT is aimed at increasing acceptance of the existing condition in order to cope better with it. The literature indeed suggested that the two approach can produce different effects in the same clinical population.

The study will include women with a recent diagnosis and women who have been living with the diagnosis for a longer time.

Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either CBT or ACT. Both groups will attend eight therapy sessions, held every two weeks. Participants will complete online questionnaires before treatment, after session 4, after treatment, and 3 and 6 months after treatment. The questionnaires will assess quality of life, pain, emotional well-being, and other aspects of health and daily functioning.

The study will take place at the Endometriosis Centre of Careggi University Hospital in Florence, Italy. Eligible participants must be women aged 18 or older who are receiving care at this centre and have a confirmed diagnosis of endometriosis and/or adenomyosis based on medical assessment. They must have been on stable medication treatment for at least 3 months, speak and write Italian fluently, have internet access, and be able to provide informed consent. Women with a current psychiatric diagnosis or who are currently receiving psychotherapy are not eligible to participate in the study.

Studieoversigt

Detaljeret beskrivelse

Endometriosis (ENDO) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting 4-18% of women with symptoms such as dyspareunia, dysmenorrhea, dyschezia, low back pain, chronic pelvic pain and gastrointestinal manifestations. Meta-analyses showed higher anxiety, depression, and poorer quality of life in women with ENDO compared to healthy controls. Cross-sectional studies suggested that a psychological burden linked to pain and factors such as pain catastrophizing, low pain acceptance, self-criticism, psychological inflexibility (PI), maladaptive coping strategies, sexual dysfunction, maladaptive illness perceptions, early life adversity, negative body image, fatigue and low psychological flexibility. Long-term exposure to ENDO has been associated with an increased risk of developing more severe psychological distress over time. Therefore, accounting for time since diagnosis appears important when examining psychological outcomes in this population.

Psychological interventions such as psychoeducation, mindfulness-based techniques, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) have shown promising results in improving pain, quality of life, anxiety, and depression in ENDO. However, this literature is sparse, and the methods used are heterogeneous. Furthermore, in these studies only pain, anxiety, depression, and quality of life have been investigated as outcomes measures although evidence from studies on other chronic illnesses and chronic pain conditions suggests that CBT and ACT interventions could also provide benefits in addressing self-criticism, eating-related psychopathology, psychological flexibility, maladaptive coping strategies, sexual dysfunction, maladaptive illness perceptions, fatigue, early life adversity, and negative body image. Furthermore, no studies to date have directly compared ACT-based and CBT-based interventions in women with ENDO. Given their different theoretical models and therapeutic targets, comparing the two interventions may help clarify their potential role in improving psychological adjustment and quality of life in ENDO.

Overall, studying the potential benefits of psychotherapeutic interventions based on CBT versus ACT components using rigorous methods, while accounting for illness duration, may help shed light on complementary therapeutic options for women with ENDO and on ways to modify their psychological burden trajectories, while also extending current knowledge by broadening the range of psychological outcomes assessed beyond commonly studied indicators such as pain, emotional distress, and quality of life.

The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of CBT-based versus ACT-based psychotherapeutic interventions on health-related quality of life in women with endometriosis and/or adenomyosis, considering both women with a recent diagnosis (≤12 months from diagnosis; Study 1) and those with a long-lasting diagnosis (>12 months from diagnosis; Study 2). This operational definition of "long-lasting" conditions is consistent with the literature on chronic illness adaptation, which conceptualizes the first year post-diagnosis as an early adjustment phase, whereas persistence beyond this period reflects a more established chronic illness trajectory and stabilized adaptation processes.

The study will also investigate the effects of the two interventions on a broad range of secondary outcomes in both Study 1 and Study 2, including endometriosis-specific quality of life, pain-related disability, psychological distress, psychological flexibility and related processes, coping strategies and emotion regulation, illness-related attitudes and perceptions, sexual functioning, life satisfaction, psychological well-being, and other clinical and psychological dimensions.

Undersøgelsestype

Interventionel

Tilmelding (Anslået)

128

Fase

  • Ikke anvendelig

Kontakter og lokationer

Dette afsnit indeholder kontaktoplysninger for dem, der udfører undersøgelsen, og oplysninger om, hvor denne undersøgelse udføres.

Studiekontakt

Studiesteder

    • FI
      • Florence, FI, Italien, 50134
        • Endometriosis Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Careggi University Hospital (AOUC)
        • Kontakt:

Deltagelseskriterier

Forskere leder efter personer, der passer til en bestemt beskrivelse, kaldet berettigelseskriterier. Nogle eksempler på disse kriterier er en persons generelle helbredstilstand eller tidligere behandlinger.

Berettigelseskriterier

Aldre berettiget til at studere

18 år og ældre (Voksen, Ældre voksen)

Tager imod sunde frivillige

Ingen

Køn, der er berettiget til at studere

Kvinde

Beskrivelse

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 years;
  • Access to internet and having an email address;
  • Diagnosis of endometriosis and/or adenomyosis based on gynecological assessment and imaging evaluation, in accordance with ICD-11 classification (WHO, 2019);
  • Seeking care at the Endometriosis Center (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Careggi University Hospital (AOUC));
  • Ability to provide informed consent;
  • Fluency in written and spoken Italian;
  • Under stable pharmacological treatment for at least 3 months;
  • For Study 1: ≤12 months from diagnosis;
  • For Study 2: >12 months from diagnosis.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current psychiatric diagnosis assessed with the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5; First et al., 2016);
  • Ongoing psychotherapeutic treatment.

Studieplan

Dette afsnit indeholder detaljer om studieplanen, herunder hvordan undersøgelsen er designet, og hvad undersøgelsen måler.

Hvordan er undersøgelsen tilrettelagt?

Design detaljer

  • Primært formål: Behandling
  • Tildeling: Randomiseret
  • Interventionel model: Parallel tildeling
  • Maskning: Enkelt

Våben og indgreb

Deltagergruppe / Arm
Intervention / Behandling
Eksperimentel: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is a structured intervention targeting dysfunctional thoughts, emotions, and behaviors through psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral strategies, and homework. As no standardized CBT protocol for endometriosis exists, this intervention was developed for this study based on CBT principles.

In Study 1, CBT comprises 8 biweekly sessions (4 psychoeducational and 4 CBT sessions) targeting physical pain (including central sensitization), mental pain and distress, relational and functional difficulties (including dyspareunia and fatigue), and maladaptive cognitions (catastrophizing, hopelessness, helplessness, and perfectionism).

In Study 2, CBT comprises 8 biweekly sessions: 4 core sessions addressing physical pain and dysfunctional thinking, mental pain and distress, relational and functional difficulties (including fatigue), and maladaptive cognitions. Each is followed by a consolidation session to review content and reinforce skills through behavioral exercises.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delivered over 8 biweekly sessions, including psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, behavioral strategies, and homework assignments. The intervention addresses physical pain, mental pain and psychological distress, relational and functional difficulties, and maladaptive cognitions. The session structure differs between Study 1 and Study 2.

Aktiv komparator: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

ACT promotes psychological flexibility and functioning despite distress through psychoeducation, experiential techniques, values-based action, and practice. As no standardized ACT protocol for endometriosis exists, this intervention was developed for this study based on ACT principles.

In Study 1, ACT comprises 8 biweekly sessions (4 psychoeducational, 4 ACT) targeting physical pain (including central sensitization), mental pain and distress, relational and functional difficulties (including dyspareunia and fatigue), and maladaptive cognitions (catastrophizing, hopelessness, helplessness, perfectionism).

In Study 2, ACT comprises 8 biweekly sessions: 4 core sessions address physical pain and an open response style, mental pain and distress, relational and functional difficulties (including fatigue), and maladaptive cognitions. Each is followed by a consolidation session reviewing content and introducing open, centered, and engaged response styles through experiential exercises.

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) delivered over 8 biweekly sessions, including psychoeducation, experiential techniques, values-based action, and behavioral practice. The intervention addresses physical pain, mental pain and psychological distress, relational and functional difficulties, and maladaptive cognitions, while promoting psychological flexibility. The session structure differs between Study 1 and Study 2.

Hvad måler undersøgelsen?

Primære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
EQ-5D-5L
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

The primary outcome will be health-related quality of life, assessed using the EQ-5D-5L (health states range from 11111, representing the best health state, to 55555, representing the worst health state).

change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Sekundære resultatmål

Resultatmål
Foranstaltningsbeskrivelse
Tidsramme
Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHP-5)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHP-5), with higher scores indicating worse endometriosis-related quality of life.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Brief Pain Inventory - Short Form (BPI-SF), with higher scores indicating greater pain-related disability.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Psychological Pain Index (PPI)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Psychological Pain Index (PPI), with higher scores indicating greater psychological pain.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Symptom Questionnaire (SQ)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Symptom Questionnaire (SQ), with higher scores indicating greater psychological distress.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Somatic Symptom Disorder - B Criteria Scale (SSD-12), with higher scores indicating greater somatic symptom burden.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), with higher scores indicating greater pain catastrophizing.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ), with higher scores indicating greater pain acceptance.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (MPFI), with higher scores indicating greater psychological flexibility/inflexibility.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II (AAQ-II)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II (AAQ-II), with higher scores indicating greater psychological inflexibility.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (CFQ), with higher scores indicating greater cognitive fusion.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (CERQ), with higher scores indicating greater use of that specific emotion regulation strategy.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), with higher scores indicating greater psychological well-being.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS), with higher scores indicating more dysfunctional illness-related attitudes.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ), with higher scores indicating more negative illness perceptions.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), with higher scores indicating better sexual functioning.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS), with higher scores indicating greater fatigue.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), with higher scores indicating greater fatigue severity.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), with higher scores indicating greater hopelessness.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Demoralization Scale (Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview - PERI)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Demoralization Scale (Psychiatric Epidemiology Research Interview - PERI), with higher scores indicating greater demoralization.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS), with higher scores indicating higher levels of perfectionism.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Somatosensory Amplification Scale (SSAS), with higher scores indicating greater somatic amplification.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI), with higher scores indicating greater eating-related psychopathology.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire - Short Form (CTQ-SF), with higher scores indicating greater exposure to childhood trauma.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up
Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS)
Tidsramme: change from baseline to 6-month follow up

Social Readjustment Rating Scale (SRRS), with higher scores indicating greater exposure to stressful life events.

change from baseline to 6-month follow up

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Publikationer og nyttige links

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Generelle publikationer

Datoer for undersøgelser

Disse datoer sporer fremskridtene for indsendelser af undersøgelsesrekord og resumeresultater til ClinicalTrials.gov. Studieregistreringer og rapporterede resultater gennemgås af National Library of Medicine (NLM) for at sikre, at de opfylder specifikke kvalitetskontrolstandarder, før de offentliggøres på den offentlige hjemmeside.

Studer store datoer

Studiestart (Anslået)

1. januar 2027

Primær færdiggørelse (Anslået)

30. september 2028

Studieafslutning (Anslået)

31. oktober 2028

Datoer for studieregistrering

Først indsendt

24. oktober 2026

Først indsendt, der opfyldte QC-kriterier

24. oktober 2026

Først opslået (Faktiske)

30. oktober 2026

Opdateringer af undersøgelsesjournaler

Sidste opdatering sendt (Faktiske)

4. november 2026

Sidste opdatering indsendt, der opfyldte kvalitetskontrolkriterier

31. oktober 2026

Sidst verificeret

1. oktober 2026

Mere information

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Plan for individuelle deltagerdata (IPD)

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IPD-planbeskrivelse

Data will be shared upon request to the PI. Data can be shared as aggregated, anonymized information.

IPD-delingstidsramme

From 01.01.2030 to 31.12.2030

IPD-delingsadgangskriterier

Researchers will be able to access.

IPD-deling Understøttende informationstype

  • ICF
  • CSR

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