Volume 24, Issue 12 (5-2026)                   JRUMS 2026, 24(12): 1086-1102 | Back to browse issues page

Ethics code: IR.UMA.REC.1403.013

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Mousavi S M, Hajlou N, Atadokht A, Basharpour S, Roosta Y. Effectiveness of a Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy on Body Image and Attention in Women with Breast Cancer: A Quasi-Experimental Study. JRUMS 2026; 24 (12) :1086-1102
URL: http://journal.rums.ac.ir/article-1-7846-en.html
University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Ardabil, Iran
Abstract:   (19 Views)
Background and Objectives: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among women, and is associated with significant psychological and cognitive consequences. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation therapy on body image and attention in women with breast cancer.
Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with a control group and a three-month follow-up. Thirty women with breast cancer were purposively selected and randomly assigned to a cognitive rehabilitation therapy (CRT) group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). The intervention group received 12 group-based CRT sessions and the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and the Continuous Performance Test (CPT). Data were analyzed using two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Results: The results indicated significant main effects of time and group, as well as a significant time and group interaction on body image (F=44.414, p<0.001, η²=0.613). Moreover, cognitive rehabilitation therapy led to a significant reduction in commission errors, omission errors, and reaction time (p<0.001). Follow-up findings demonstrated that although some intervention effects diminished over time, improvements in body image and attentional performance remained statistically significant compared to the pretest scores.
Conclusion: The current study suggested that cognitive rehabilitation therapy is effective in improving body image and attentional functions in women with breast cancer. However, due to the small sample size, caution is warranted in generalizing the results. Incorporating this intervention into supportive programs within oncology centers is recommended.
Keywords: Cognitive rehabilitation, Body image, Attention disorders, Breast neoplasms

Funding: This study did not have any funds.
Conflict of interest: None declared.
Ethical considerations: The Ethics Committee of Mohaghegh Ardabili University approved the study (IR.UMA.REC.1403.013).
Authors’ contributions:
- Conceptualization: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi, Akbar Atadokht
- Methodology: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi, Sajjad Basharpoor
- Data collection: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi, Yousef Roosta
- Formal analysis: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi, Sajjad Basharpoor
- Supervision: Nader Hajloo, Akbar Atadokht
- Project administration: Akbar Atadokht, Nader Hajloo
- Writing – original draft: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi
- Writing – review & editing: Seyyede Mahsa Mousavi, Nader Hajloo, Akbar Atadokht, Sajjad Basharpoor, Yousef Roosta
 
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Type of Study: Research | Subject: روانپزشكي
Received: 2025/09/25 | Accepted: 2026/02/14 | Published: 2026/05/20

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