Cette page a été traduite automatiquement et l'exactitude de la traduction n'est pas garantie. Veuillez vous référer au version anglaise pour un texte source.

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

31 octobre 2026 mis à jour par: 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.

Aperçu de l'étude

Statut

Pas encore de recrutement

Les conditions

Intervention / Traitement

Description détaillée

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.

Type d'étude

Interventionnel

Inscription (Estimé)

128

Phase

  • N'est pas applicable

Contacts et emplacements

Cette section fournit les coordonnées de ceux qui mènent l'étude et des informations sur le lieu où cette étude est menée.

Coordonnées de l'étude

Lieux d'étude

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

Critères de participation

Les chercheurs recherchent des personnes qui correspondent à une certaine description, appelée critères d'éligibilité. Certains exemples de ces critères sont l'état de santé général d'une personne ou des traitements antérieurs.

Critère d'éligibilité

Âges éligibles pour étudier

18 ans et plus (Adulte, Adulte plus âgé)

Accepte les volontaires sains

Non

Sexes éligibles pour l'étude

Femelle

La description

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.

Plan d'étude

Cette section fournit des détails sur le plan d'étude, y compris la façon dont l'étude est conçue et ce que l'étude mesure.

Comment l'étude est-elle conçue ?

Détails de conception

  • Objectif principal: Traitement
  • Répartition: Randomisé
  • Modèle interventionnel: Affectation parallèle
  • Masquage: Seul

Armes et Interventions

Groupe de participants / Bras
Intervention / Traitement
Expérimental: 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.

Comparateur actif: 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.

Que mesure l'étude ?

Principaux critères de jugement

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
EQ-5D-5L
Délai: 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

Mesures de résultats secondaires

Mesure des résultats
Description de la mesure
Délai
Endometriosis Health Profile Questionnaire (EHP-5)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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)
Délai: 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

Collaborateurs et enquêteurs

C'est ici que vous trouverez les personnes et les organisations impliquées dans cette étude.

Parrainer

Publications et liens utiles

La personne responsable de la saisie des informations sur l'étude fournit volontairement ces publications. Il peut s'agir de tout ce qui concerne l'étude.

Publications générales

Dates d'enregistrement des études

Ces dates suivent la progression des dossiers d'étude et des soumissions de résultats sommaires à ClinicalTrials.gov. Les dossiers d'étude et les résultats rapportés sont examinés par la Bibliothèque nationale de médecine (NLM) pour s'assurer qu'ils répondent à des normes de contrôle de qualité spécifiques avant d'être publiés sur le site Web public.

Dates principales de l'étude

Début de l'étude (Estimé)

1 janvier 2027

Achèvement primaire (Estimé)

30 septembre 2028

Achèvement de l'étude (Estimé)

31 octobre 2028

Dates d'inscription aux études

Première soumission

24 octobre 2026

Première soumission répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

24 octobre 2026

Première publication (Réel)

30 octobre 2026

Mises à jour des dossiers d'étude

Dernière mise à jour publiée (Réel)

4 novembre 2026

Dernière mise à jour soumise répondant aux critères de contrôle qualité

31 octobre 2026

Dernière vérification

1 octobre 2026

Plus d'information

Termes liés à cette étude

Autres numéros d'identification d'étude

  • T-ENDO

Plan pour les données individuelles des participants (IPD)

Prévoyez-vous de partager les données individuelles des participants (DPI) ?

OUI

Description du régime IPD

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

Délai de partage IPD

From 01.01.2030 to 31.12.2030

Critères d'accès au partage IPD

Researchers will be able to access.

Type d'informations de prise en charge du partage d'IPD

  • CIF
  • RSE

Informations sur les médicaments et les dispositifs, documents d'étude

Étudie un produit pharmaceutique réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Étudie un produit d'appareil réglementé par la FDA américaine

Non

Ces informations ont été extraites directement du site Web clinicaltrials.gov sans aucune modification. Si vous avez des demandes de modification, de suppression ou de mise à jour des détails de votre étude, veuillez contacter register@clinicaltrials.gov. Dès qu'un changement est mis en œuvre sur clinicaltrials.gov, il sera également mis à jour automatiquement sur notre site Web .