Objective To investigate the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) model on anxiety, depression, and other negative emotions in patients with vestibular dysfunction.

Methods A total of 154 patients with vestibular dysfunction admitted to our hospital from March 2021 to September 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into observation group (n=77) and control group (n=77) using simple random sampling. Both groups received routine treatment and intervention, while the observation group received additional cognitive behavioral therapy based on the IMB model. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vestibular Rehabilitation Benefit Questionnaire (VRBQ), Falls Risk Questionnaire (FRQ), Exercise of Self-Care Agency Scale (ESCA) scores, and changes in balance function were compared between the two groups before and after the intervention.

Results After 4 weeks of intervention, the depression, anxiety, and stress scores in both groups decreased compared to pre-intervention, and the observation group showed lower scores than the control group after 4 weeks of intervention (P < 0.05). The physical, emotional, functional scores decreased in both groups after 4 weeks of intervention; the observation group had lower scores than the control group at 4 weeks (P < 0.05). The VRBQ and FRQ scores decreased, while the ESCA scores increased in both groups after 4 weeks of intervention; the observation group had lower VRBQ and FRQ scores and a higher ESCA score compared to the control group at 4 weeks (P < 0.05). Balance function improved in both groups after 4 weeks of intervention, with the observation group showing better balance function than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion Cognitive behavioral therapy based on the IMB model can help patients with vestibular dysfunction improve negative emotions such as anxiety and depression, and promote the improvement of clinical symptoms and self-care ability, thereby enhancing the quality of rehabilitation.