Cognitive-behavioral therapy for adults with inflammatory bowel disease: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with implications for clinical social work

ABSTRACT

Background: Psychotherapeutic research on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is of particular importance to licensed clinical social workers since they represent the biggest source of mental health providers in the United States.

Objective: The purpose of the present meta-analysis is to determine the depression, anxiety, and quality of life (QOL) summary effects of experimental CBT studies for adults with IBD and to discuss specific implications for clinical social work practice.

Methods: In March 2018 a systematic review was completed via searching online databases and the reference lists of included studies. To include the maximum number of articles which met inclusion criteria, temporal constraints were not used in the database searches.

Results: The random-effects model meta-analysis found a small (Hedges’ g = −0.35), statistically significant reduction in depression among persons who were treated with CBT and small, statistically insignificant effects regarding anxiety (Hedges’ g = −0.24) and QOL (Hedges’ g = −0.15). All of the summary effects were ultimately homogenous.

Discussion: Discussion pertaining to limitations, strengths, implications for clinical social workers, and areas of future research is provided.

KEYWORDS:

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy
• inflammatory bowel disease
• depression
• anxiety
• quality of life
• clinical social work
• meta-analysis
• randomized controlled trial

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to acknowledge Hannah Fuller for the co-conceptualization of the article and initial efforts in reviewing the literature.