An open trial with cognitive behavioral therapy for blood- and injection phobia in pregnant women-a group intervention program

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2010 Jun;13(3):259-65. doi: 10.1007/s00737-009-0126-x. Epub 2009 Oct 27.

Abstract

Around 7% of pregnant women suffer from blood- and injection phobia. The aim was to investigate if cognitive behavior group therapy (CBT) is effective in treating pregnant women's blood- and injection phobia. Thirty pregnant women with blood- and injection phobia according to DSM-IV took part in an open treatment intervention. A two-session cognitive behavior group therapy was conducted. As controls, 46 pregnant women with untreated blood- and injection phobia and 70 healthy pregnant women were used. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed. The scores for the CBT treatment group on the "Injection Phobia Scale-Anxiety" were reduced both after each treatment session and postpartum (p < 0.001). Anxiety and depressive symptoms were also reduced (p < 0.001). Cognitive-behavior group therapy for pregnant women with blood- and injection phobia is effective and stable up to at least 3 months postpartum. It seems also to reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety / prevention & control
  • Blood*
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Injections*
  • Phobic Disorders*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications*
  • Psychotherapy, Group*