Abstract

Background: Diabetes is one of the major health problems and one of the most prevalent metabolic chronic diseases and its resulting complications are one of the main mortality factors in the world. Prevalence of depression in this disease is 3 times than other chronic diseases. Thus, its diagnosis and treatment is crucial.

Aims and Objectives: The current study was conducted aiming at investigating guided imagery on depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 76 patients referring to diabetes center of Sabzevar city in 2015. Participants competed Beck depression test, and in case of gaining score 14–28 (mild and moderate depression), final approval of depression was done by the clinical psychologist. Then, following completion of the consent form, the patients were divided into guided imagery group (n = 36) and control group (n = 40) randomly. Imagery was done twice weekly for 20–30 min under supervision of the researcher within 6 weeks, and Beck depression test was again completed at the end of 6th week. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way variance analysis in SPSS (Version 16) Software, and P as 0.05 was considered as significance level.

Result: Mean depression scale after intervention in guided imagery group reached to 12.41 ± 2.84 from 19.05 ± 4.26, and it reached to 19.99 ± 3.61 from 20.60 ± 4.21 in control group. Independent t-test showed no significant statistical difference between two groups in terms of depression score before intervention (P = 0.117), while there was significant statistical difference between two groups in terms of depression score after intervention (P < 0.001). Pairwise statistical t-test showed significant statistical difference in terms of depression score before and after intervention in guided imagery (P < 0.001). While there was no significant difference statistically in control group (P = 0.204).

Conclusion: According to results of the present study, guided imagery is an effective approach to reduce depression in patients with Type 2 diabetes.

Key words: Guided Imagery; Depression; Type 2 Diabetes