Psychological Therapy in Chronic Pain: Differential Efficacy between Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Abstract

The objective of this study is to evaluate the differential efficacy between Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). A quasi-experimental design of repeated measures before and after the test (n = 57) was used with a non-equivalent control group from a previous cohort treated with CBT (n = 105). The t-test revealed significant differences in subjective quality of life for the MBCT group, and in quantity, optimum, and adequate sleep for the CBT group. The pre–post effect size comparison mostly showed slightly larger effect sizes in the MBCT group. CBT and MBCT had comparable efficacies, although a slight trend towards larger effect sizes in MBCT was found. Likewise, CBT seemed to improve sleep-related variables, while MBCT was associated with improvements in pain and quality of life.

Analyzing Psychotherapy on Twitter: An 11-Year Analysis of Tweets From Major U.S. Media Outlets

“…Thus, it is not surprising that its efficacy has not been discussed on Twitter. On the other hand, cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness have been demonstrated to be effective for a wide range of psychological problems, as well as for reducing dysfunction in patients with medical conditions such as cancer or chronic pain ( 34 , 35 ). Nonetheless, it is surprising how well regarded they are in terms of their efficacy, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, which was considered an effective treatment in all related tweets.…”

Sleep Risk Assessment and Clinical Management of Chronic Pain

“…Several other studies on various types of chronic pain have also reported the effectiveness of CBT on comorbid insomnia and chronic pain52–54 and insomnia caused by chronic pain 55. Mindfulness-based interventions are also showing to be effective in some studies for improving overall quality of life in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain 56,57…”