Effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on depression and anxiety in women with systemic lupus erythematous

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) reduced depression and anxiety in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In a quasi-experimental study with 30 depressed and anxious women assigned to either an MBCT group or a waiting-list control, the MBCT group showed significantly lower scores on the Beck Depression Inventory and Beck Anxiety Inventory immediately after the intervention and at a 3-month follow-up. The authors suggest MBCT as a psychological approach for women with SLE.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) is an effective psychological approach for chronic mood disorders. This study was conducted to examine the effectiveness of MBCT on depression and anxiety in women with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) within a 3-month follow-up. METHODS: This study was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest design and control group. Study population consisted of 200 women with SLE in Sari, Iran, in 2016. Of whom, 30 depressed and anxious women were selected and assigned to two 15-member groups randomly. Experimental group participated in 8 sessions of intervention, while control group were in waiting list. MBCT was educated to women. To collect data, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) were employed at baseline and follow-up stages. To analyze data, descriptive statistics [mean and standard deviation (SD)] and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) were used through SPSS software. RESULTS: There was a significant difference between experimental and control groups in scores of depression and anxiety in post intervention and follow-up stages (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MBCT could decrease chronic negative mood symptoms such as anxiety and depression in patients with SLE. We suggest this psychological approach for women with SLE.