The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy on the Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome and Its Indicators in Patients with Psoriasis
Downloads
Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of intensive short-term psychodynamic therapy on the cognitive-attentional syndrome and its indicators in patients with psoriasis.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study used a pretest-posttest design with a three-month follow-up. The statistical population consisted of all patients with plaque psoriasis who visited specialized dermatology and hair clinics affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in 2024–2025. Among them, 40 individuals were selected through purposive sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (20 participants) or a control group (20 participants). In addition to a researcher-made demographic information checklist, the Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome Questionnaire (Wells, 2009) was used for data collection. In the experimental group, the treatment program was delivered in 8 group sessions (one 1-hour session per week), whereas the control group did not receive this intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test in SPSS version 26.
Findings: Compared with the control group, intensive short-term psychodynamic therapy improved the indices of positive beliefs about worry/perception of worry (F = 14.039, η² = 0.420), threat monitoring/perception of threat (F = 12.829, η² = 0.281), maladaptive coping (F = 15.414, η² = 0.619), negative metacognitive beliefs (F = 10.904, η² = 0.223), and overall cognitive-attentional syndrome (F = 36.011, η² = 0.487) in patients with plaque psoriasis (p < 0.05). These positive effects also remained stable at the three-month follow-up stage.
Conclusion: The techniques and exercises of intensive short-term psychodynamic therapy can be used as an effective complementary therapeutic approach to improve the quality of life and daily functioning of patients with psoriasis, especially with regard to cognitive issues related to the disease.
Downloads
Aminizadeh, S., Askarizadeh, G., & Bagheri, M. (2023). The effectiveness of dynamic interpersonal psychotherapy on psychological symptoms, emotion regulation and quality of life of psychodermatologic patients. https://www.sid.ir/paper/1099670/en
Bayazidi, S., Bakhshipour, A., & ALIVANDI, V. M. (2021). Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy on reducing stress, depression and anxiety in patients with gastrointestinal and skin disorders. https://jdc.tums.ac.ir/article-1-5516-en.html
Cartwright-Hatton, S., & Wells, A. (1997). Beliefs about worry and intrusions: The Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire and its correlates. Journal of anxiety disorders, 11(3), 279-296. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0887-6185(97)00011-X
Dammen, T., Munkhaugen, J., Sverre, E., Moum, T., & Papageorgiou, C. (2023). Psychiatric disorders, rumination, and metacognitions in patients with type D personality and coronary heart disease. Nordic journal of psychiatry, 77(6), 540-546. https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2023.2182358
Davanloo, H. (2001). Intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy: extended major direct access to the unconscious. European Psychotherapy, 2(2), 25-70. DOI: 10.1080/14753634.2018.1435301
Delavar, A. (2015). Theoretical and practical foundations of research in humanities and social sciences. Tehran: Roshd Publication.
Dragan, M., & Grajewski, P. (2023). Did Cognitive Attentional Syndrome Symptoms Predict Stress-and Trauma-Related Symptoms in the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic? Results from a Two-Wave Study on a Sample of Polish Internet Users. Brain Sciences, 13(8), 1162. https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci13081162
Farrokhi, H., & Mustafapour, V. (2017). Examining the factorial structure, validity, and reliability of the [Persian] form of Anxiety Thought Questionnaire (AnTI), Thought Control Questionnaire (TCQ), and White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI) in the clinical population. Cognitive Analytical Psychology Quarterly, 9(33), 19-31. https://sid.ir/paper/227412/en
Fatani, M. I., Al-Homood, I., Bedaiwi, M., Natour, S. A., Erdogan, A., Alsharafi, A., & Attar, S. M. (2024). Experiences of dermatologists and patients regarding psoriasis and its connection to psoriatic arthritis in Saudi Arabia. Psoriasis: Targets and Therapy, 11-22. https://doi.org/10.2147/PTT.S427775
Gianotti, R., Zerbi, P., & Dodiuk-Gad, R. P. (2020). Clinical and histopathological study of skin dermatoses in patients affected by COVID-19 infection in the Northern part of Italy. Journal of dermatological science, 98(2), 141. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdermsci.2020.04.007
Guo, M., Su, J., Zheng, S., & Chen, B. (2024). Sleep in psoriasis: A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 176, 111543. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychores.2023.111543
Hashemi, Z., Aini, S., & Shahjouei, T. (2022). Effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy Based on Executive Function Training on Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome in Students with Social Anxiety. Clinical Psychology, 14(2), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.jarac.5181
Helmy, M., Alenezi, A. F., Ashraf, F., Thomas, K., Fekih-Romdhane, F., Aldoseri, R., Alhaj, O., Souraya, S., Bragazzi, N., & Jahrami, H. (2023). Cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the multidimensional cognitive attentional syndrome scale (MCASS). Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, 28(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13546805.2022.2126303
Hewitt, P. L., Kealy, D., Mikail, S. F., Smith, M. M., Ge, S., Chen, C., Sochting, I., Tasca, G. A., Flett, G. L., & Ko, A. (2023). The efficacy of group psychotherapy for adults with perfectionism: A randomized controlled trial of dynamic-relational therapy versus psychodynamic supportive therapy. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 91(1), 29. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000787
Irani, Z., Khakpour, R., & Behboodi, M. (2022). Comparison the Effectiveness of Online Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) and Existential Therapy on the Defense Mechanisms of Psychosomatics Patients. Rooyesh-e-Ravanshenasi Journal (RRJ), 11(10), 181-192. 20.1001.1.2383353.1401.11.10.17.2
Jafari, A., & Ahmadzadeh, N. (2023). The Relationship between Psychological Distress and Cognitive-Attentional Syndrome of Mothers and Psychological Adjustment of Adolescents with Cancer in COVID-19 Pandemic with the Mediating Role of Emotion Regulation: A Descriptive Study. https://doi.org/10.61186/jrums.22.10.1071
Jafari, S., & Joharifard, R. (2023). The Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy on the Alexithymia, Defense Styles, and Ego Strength in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Quasi-Experimental Study. https://doi.org/10.52547/jrums.22.3.4
Kealy, D., Hewitt, P. L., Söchting, I., Mikail, S. F., Smith, M. M., Flett, G. L., Ge, S., Kristen, A., & Giannone, Z. (2025). A comparison of the effect of two types of brief psychodynamic group therapy on perfectionism-related attitudes, self-relatedness, and self-esteem. Psychotherapy Research, 35(2), 319-336. https://doi.org/10.1080/10503307.2024.2308141
Kumar, S., Sharma, P. K., Malviya, R., Alam, A., & Sagar, S. (2024). Advances in microneedle-based approaches for skin diseases: A comprehensive review of therapeutic applications and future perspectives. Anti-Infective Agents, 22(1), 17-35. https://doi.org/10.2174/2211352521666230911155555
Leichsenring, F., Steinert, C., Biskup, J., Feix, L. A., Heim, N., Nimis, B., Kreische, R., Nöske, F., Ruckes, C., & Weiss, H. (2026). Short-Term Psychodynamic Therapy of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial of Unmedicated Patients. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. https://doi.org/10.1159/000550421
Marzo-Ortega, H., Harrison, S. R., Nagy, G., Machado, P. M., McGonagle, D. G., Aydin, S. Z., Almodovar-González, R., Bautista-Molano, W., Gossec, L., & Lubrano, E. (2024). Time to address the challenge of difficult to treat psoriatic arthritis: results from an international survey. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, 83(3), 403-404. https://doi.org/10.1136/ard-2023-225087
Mehboodi, K., Mohammadi, N., Rahimi, C., & Sarafraz, M. R. (2022). The efficacy of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) on self-esteem, emotion regulation, and defense mechanisms in men with social anxiety disorder. Journal of Psychological Science, 21(111), 461-474. https://doi.org/10.52547/JPS.21.111.461
Melsom, L., Ulvenes, P. G., Solbakken, O. A., Curran, P. J., & Wampold, B. E. (2022). Emotional clarity and tolerance of emotional distress as mechanisms of change in short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for chronic depression. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 90(4), 289. https://doi.org/10.1037/ccp0000728
Morris, E. M., Johns, L. C., & Gaudiano, B. A. (2024). Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis: Current status, lingering questions and future directions. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 97(1), 41-58. https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12479
Naghibi, S. H., Pourhosein, R., Sarafraz, M. R., & Sadeghinia, A. (2023). Effectiveness of intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy on psychological distress of patients with atopic dermatitis. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 17(68), 287-295. 10.22034/jmpr.2023.15341
Nolen-Hoeksema, S., & Morrow, J. (1993). Effects of rumination and distraction on naturally occurring depressed mood. Cognition & emotion, 7(6), 561-570. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699939308409206
Reich, H., Gieler, U., Braehler, E., & Kupfer, J. (2023). Associations of self-reported skin symptoms with age, sex, and living with a partner: Findings from a representative survey in view of the biomedical and the biopsychosocial model. Frontiers in medicine, 10, 1076233. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1076233
Romiti, R., Magalhães, R. F., & Duarte, G. V. (2024). Cumulative life course impairment in patients with dermatological diseases, with a focus on psoriasis. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 99(2), 269-276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abd.2023.08.006
Ruggiero, A., Potestio, L., Martora, F., Villani, A., Comune, R., & Megna, M. (2023). Bimekizumab treatment in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis: a drug safety evaluation. Expert Opinion on Drug Safety, 22(5), 355-362. https://doi.org/10.1080/14740338.2023.2218086
Russell, L., Abbass, A., & Allder, S. (2022). A review of the treatment of functional neurological disorder with intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy. Epilepsy & Behavior, 130, 108657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108657
Salehian, N., & Moradi, S. (2022). The Effect of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) on the Mental well-being of Individuals with Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD). Journal of Psychology New Ideas, 14(18), 1-18. https://jnip.ir/article-1-803-en.html
Seyed Alitabar, S. H., & Goli, F. (2024). Exploring the predictive role of body image and rumination on somatic symptom severity: A quantitative analysis. International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture, 11(3), 193–200. https://doi.org/10.22122/ijbmc.v11i3.689
Shaw, V. R., Tobias, L. A., & Cohen, J. M. (2024). Obstructive sleep apnea among patients with psoriasis: a case-control study in the All of Us research program. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 90(3), 666-668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2023.11.031
Shedler, J. (2010). The efficacy of psychodynamic psychotherapy. American psychologist, 65(2), 98. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0018378
Smith, M. M., & Hewitt, P. L. (2024). The equivalence of psychodynamic therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy for depressive disorders in adults: A meta‐analytic review. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 80(5), 945-967. https://doi.org/10.1002/jclp.23649
Ten Have-De Labije, J., & Neborsky, R. J. (2018). Mastering intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy: a roadmap to the unconscious. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429477119
Viola, R., Mastorino, L., Megna, M., Damiani, G., Gisondi, P., Argenziano, G., Peris, K., Prignano, F., Burlando, M., & Conti, A. (2024). Multi‐failure psoriasis patients: characterization of the patients and response to biological therapy in a multicenter Italian cohort. International Journal of Dermatology, 63(3), 351-358. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.17005
Wells, A. (2015). Cognitive attentional syndrome Scale 1 revised (CAS-1R). University of Manchester. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02109/full
Yarns, B. C., Safavi, Y., & Conroy, M. L. (2026). Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Older Adults. Current Geriatrics Reports, 15(1), 5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-025-00443-0
Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Body, Mind and Culture
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
