Comparison of the Effectiveness of Metacognitive Therapy and Behavioral Activation on Executive Functions of Elderly People with Type 2 Diabetes

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder in the body with a constant increasing prevalence. Objectives: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of metacognitive therapy and behavioral activation on executive functions of elderly people with type 2 diabetes. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted based on a pretest-posttest control group design and a three-month follow-up. The statistical population included patients with type 2 diabetes referred to five endocrine clinics located in district 11 of Tehran, Iran, with the age range of 60-75. The samples (n=45) were selected using purposeful and voluntary sampling methods. Wisconsin card was used for data collection. The gathered data were analyzed in SPSS software (version 25) using descriptive statistics, such as mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics using analysis of covariance and repeated measure ANOVA. Results: The results showed that there was no statistically significant difference between metacognitive and behavioral activation groups in the subscales of executive function, and the mean posttest of the groups was almost equal (P 0.05). Correct reaction time, first patterns attempt were significantly different, compared to the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion: It can be concluded that meta-cognitive therapy and behavioral activation therapy increased effective executive functions.