Effectiveness of mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy on anxiety, depression and hope in multiple sclerosis patients: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic medical condition that attracts particular attention because of the high risks associated with it. MS patients suffer from medical problems, depression, anxiety, and reduced hopefulness. These issues can increase the severity of the disease and treatment resistance and reduce patients' individual and social efficacy. Mindfulness-integrated cognitive behavior therapy (MICBT) is a new approach that is being applied in chronic diseases and can be used in combination with existing treatments. Therefore, the present study investigated the efficacy of MICBT in terms of anxiety, depression, and hope in MS patients. Methods: A sample of 20 patients with MS was randomly selected at Shafa Hospital in Kerman City, Iran. Patients were then assigned to one of two groups of 10 people using a random number table. The experimental group received MICBT. The control group also received the same therapy after study completion. The assessment tools used in this study included the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and Miller Hope Scale (MHS). Measurements were conducted at three stages: pre-test, post-test, and follow-up. For data analysis, means and standard deviations were calculated and one-way analysis of covariance was conducted using SPSS 24. Results: Compared with controls, MICBT was effective for reducing depression (P < 0.001, F = 72.55), anxiety (P < 0.001, F = 100.75). Additionally, MICBT was effective in improving hope (P < 0.001, F = 45.36). Changes were maintained in the follow-up phase. Conclusion: The MICBT affects depression, anxiety and hope of MS patients. Therefore, mental health professionals can benefit from the results obtained in the present study to reduce depression and anxiety and increase hope in this group of patients. Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT201601030258N4.

Co-emergence Reinforcement and Its Relevance to Interoceptive Desensitization in Mindfulness and Therapies Aiming at Transdiagnostic Efficacy

“…There is also increasing evidence that including interoceptive desensitization to reduce the pathological effects of disequilibrium state has transdiagnostic benefits. Several RCTs have shown that MiCBT, which attempts to re-establish equilibrium state transdiagnostically, is efficacious in treating anxiety and depression in pregnant women ( Yazdanimehr et al, 2016 ) and in women with multiple sclerosis ( Bahrani et al, 2017 ), reducing perceived pain and increasing pain self-efficacy in patients with breast cancer ( Mozafari-Motlagh et al, 2019 ), reducing anxiety and fatigue while improving sleep quality in patients with Multiple Sclerosis ( Pouyanfard et al, 2019 ), and reducing sports-anxiety and pessimism, and increasing flow and adherence in competitive athletes ( Scott-Hamilton and Schutte, 2016 ; Scott-Hamilton et al, 2016 ). Other studies successfully included specific MiCBT skills that promote the equilibrium state in other mindfulness and acceptance-based methods (e.g., Swain et al, 2013 ; Senderey, 2017 ).…”

The Role of Self-Compassion on Psychological Well-Being and Life Satisfaction of Vietnamese Undergraduate Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Hope as a Mediator

“…The study also has several implications for practitioners and educators to implement self-compassion programs in educational settings (e.g., Huang et al, 2021 ). In addition, mental health professionals may need to assess students' hope and aim to improve it by adopting positive psychological interventions or therapies, such as Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) (e.g., Pouyanfard et al, 2020 ) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) (e.g., Shapiro et al, 2011 ). Furthermore, these results suggest that setting up goals, staying hopeful in achieving goals, and developing strategies to meet goals may enhance students’ mental health throughout the difficult time of the pandemic.…”

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral, Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapies to Improving the Psychological Symptoms of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis in Iran: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The main characteristics of 21 eligible RCTs are summarized in Table 1. The included interventions were as follows: mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) four studies (27)(28)(29)(30), ACT five studies (22,23,(31)(32)(33), CBT eight studies (31,(34)(35)(36)(37)(38), MBSR and CBT four studies (39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44). Out of 21 studies, in 20 of them the sessions had been held as in person (21-23, 27-41, 43), and in one study it had been done using Telegram application (42).…”