The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Quality of Life in Relation to Health and Self-efficacy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) improved health-related quality of life and self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. In an experimental study with 30 patients in Isfahan, Iran, the group receiving eight sessions of MBCT showed an increase in mean quality of life scores from 79.8 to 82.8 and in self-efficacy from 27.5 to 33.4, while the control group showed no significant change. The authors conclude that MBCT is an effective group intervention that may help patients adapt to and accept their condition.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on health-related quality of life (QOL) and self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods: The present experimental field study was conducted with a pretest-posttest design. The statistical population of this study included all patients with rheumatoid arthritis in Isfahan, Iran, in 2018. From among the statistical population, 30 patients were selected as the sample 15 of whom constituted the experimental group and 15 the control group. The measurement tools used included the Health-Related Quality Of Life Questionnaire (SF-36) and the General Self-Efficacy (GSE) scale. First, the pretest was performed in both groups. Then, the experimental group took part in 8 sessions of mindfulness training twice a week, each time for 1.5 hours. After the intervention, the posttest was conducted in both groups. The follow-up was performed 45 days later. Data analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA).Results: The findings showed that the mean (standard deviation) of QOL of the experimental group was 79.8 (10.2) in the pretest, and increased to 82.8 (8.8) in the post-test (P < 0.01). However, the mean (SD) of QOL in the control group was 77.7 (9.2) and 77.8 (9.5) in the pretest and posttest, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.05). The mean (SD) of self-efficacy in the experimental group was 27.5 (8.1) in the pretest and increased to 33.4 (9.4) in the posttest (P < 0.01). However, the mean (SD) of self-efficacy in the control group was 26.1 (4.9) and 27.7 (6.6) in the pretest and posttest, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P < 0.05).Conclusion: This study showed that MBCT has an effect on health-related QOL and self-efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Mindfulness training is an effective therapeutic approach that is possible in the form of group work. Moreover, MBCT can provide a conceptual framework to help clients to adapt and accept their problems.