THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY ON THE REDUCTION OF TOBACCO DEPENDENCY IN PATIENTS WITH ESSENTIAL HYPERTENSION

Aim and Background : Tobacco Dependency is recognized as the first factor for the prevention of mortality worldwide. Despite the negative impact of smoking on hypertension, therapists have been paid less attention to the effectiveness of psychological treatment of nicotine dependence of these patients. Methods and Materials : In this case- control pre-post test research with a quasi-experimental study design male patients aged 25-45 years with essential hypertension that consume one box nicotine in day, referred to Isfahan  Cardiovascular Research Center in 2009 were studied. They randomized in two experimental (n = 15) and control (n = 15) groups. The intervention was cognitive behavioral treatment All patients completed the Fagerstrom Nicotine Tolerance Questionnaire before start of interventions as pre test. The post test was completed after the end of the cognitive behavioral intervention which was consisted of eight 90 minutes sessions. Findings : Cognitive behavioral therapy was effective on reduction of Nicotine Tolerance in the patients with essential hypertension in post test (P< 0.05). Conclusions : This research suggests that team work approach consist of psychologists and Cardiologists and cognitive behavioral therapy, can be useful in nicotine dependency in patients with essential hypertension. Key words : Cognitive behavioral therapy, Fagerstrom Questionnaire, Nicotine dependency, Essential hypertension.