Comparing the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Logotherapy Based on Rumi’s Thoughts in Improving Resilience and Psychological Well-Being among Kidney Patients Undergoing Dialysis

Abstract

This study compared the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and logotherapy based on Rumi’s thoughts in improving resilience and psychological well-being among kidney patients undergoing dialysis. This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest design with two intervention groups, a control group, and a two-month follow-up. The statistical population comprised male and female kidney patients aged 25–45 years who attended the hemodialysis department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Babol during the second half of 2025. Using purposive sampling, 45 eligible patients were selected and randomly assigned to the CBT, Rumi-based logotherapy, or control group, with 15 participants in each group. The first intervention group received Barlow’s nine-session CBT protocol, whereas the second received a logotherapy protocol based on Rumi’s thoughts. The control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale and Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scale. Repeated-measures analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons were performed using SPSS version 27. After controlling for pretest scores, a significant between-group difference was observed in resilience (F(2,42)=60.909, p<0.001, η²=0.744). Both interventions significantly increased resilience compared with the control condition (p<0.001); however, CBT was more effective than Rumi-based logotherapy (mean difference=1.511, p<0.001). A significant between-group difference was also found in psychological well-being (F(2,42)=3334.30, p<0.001, η²=0.994). Both treatments significantly improved psychological well-being compared with the control group (p<0.001), while Rumi-based logotherapy produced a greater improvement than CBT (mean difference=5.00, p<0.001). The intervention effects were maintained at the two-month follow-up. Both interventions can improve psychological adjustment among patients undergoing dialysis. Nevertheless, CBT appears to offer a relative advantage in strengthening resilience, whereas Rumi-based logotherapy may be more beneficial for enhancing psychological well-being.