The Impact of Culture in Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety, Depression, and Stigma Among Chinese Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Across Diverse Cultural Identities:Protocol for a Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial

Introduction Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic condition that affects the gastrointestinal tract and has a significant impact on patients' quality of life (QoL) and mental health(Barberio, Zamani et al. 2021). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been recognized as a potential therapeutic approach to address the psychological comorbidities associated with IBD(Seaton, Hudson et al. 2024). However, the effectiveness of CBT in IBD is not solely a clinical issue but is also intertwined with cultural factors that can influence treatment outcomes(Naeem 2019).

The effectiveness of CBT in IBD is not solely a clinical issue but is also intertwined with cultural factors that can influence treatment outcomes . This has implications for the delivery of CBT in IBD care, as cultural beliefs and values can affect help-seeking behaviors and responses to treatment. Cultural factors are integral to the successful implementation of CBT in IBD care(Hinton and Patel 2017, Naeem, Sajid et al. 2023). Further research is needed to understand how cultural adaptations can enhance the efficacy of CBT for IBD patients from diverse backgrounds. It is essential to consider cultural nuances in the development and delivery of CBT to ensure that it is both effective and acceptable to patients with IBD across different cultures.

Objective: To identify gaps in the current understanding of the role of culture in CBT for IBD, including the variety of cultural contexts and IBD populations studied . To provide insights that can guide clinical practice in offering culturally competent CBT to IBD patients and inform policy decisions regarding mental health services for diverse populations with IBD .

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients over 18 years of age with diagnosed IBD.
2. Age: 18 years and older.
3. residing in China, able to verbally communicate and read in Chinese, with access to the internet to ensure participation in the online intervention.
4. Able to commit to attend the 6weekly sessions of 1 hours' duration.
5. No change in antidepressant medication (dose or type) within 3 months of trial onset.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Individuals scheduled for major surgery in the next 3 months.
2. Current psychological treatment.
3. Individuals with severe schizophrenia/psychotic disorder.