The effect of cognitive behavioral group therapy on experienc, expression, and control of anger quality of life, and severity of psoriasis

Numerous studies have emphasized on the psychosomatic origin of psoriasis and shown that the inhibition of negative emotions can be considered as important primary causes or accelerator factors in its course. Our study conducted with a psychodermatologic approach to investigate the effects of Cognitive Behavioral Group therapy (CBGT) on anger aspects, clinical manifestations, and quality of life in patients suffering from psoriasis, and to find the relation of the changes of inner anger control and anger suppression with the changes of clinical manifestations. 

This quasi-experimental research was performed during October 2019 to February 2020 on 30 patients involved in cutaneous psoriasis in Mashhad. After obtaining informed consent, the patients divided into control and trial groups by randomized allocation. The State–Trait Anger Expression Inventory II (STAXI-II), dermatology life quality index (DLQI), and Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) were assessed for both groups at the beginning of study. The patients in both groups received classic medication by dermatologist prescription for 8 weeks, and 10 sessions of 90 minutes CBGT were performed just for 15 patients in the trial group. At the end of the study, STAXI-II, DLQI, and PASI were assessed again and the data were analysed. 

According to the results of this study, CBGT could significantly decrease the Feeling Angry, Anger Expression–In, and Anger Control–Out, and could meaningfully increase the Anger Control–In, improve the quality of life, and decrees the PASI Score in patients with psoriasis in comparison to the control group. Also a positive correlation was found between the changes of Anger Expression–In with changes in PASI Score, and a negative correlation was found between the changes of Anger Control–In with changes in PASI Score in all the participants.

These findings points out to the major effects of mind-body concerns in treatment of psoriatic patients and shows that the CBGT is an effective method to improve their psychological, physical and social health.