Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Headache Considering the Moderating Role of Alexithymia: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Sara Namjoo, Mohammad Reza Seirafi, Farhad Assarzadegan, Ahmad Borjali
The Journal of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences June 23, 2019 DOI: 10.32598/jqums.22.6.150 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Randomized controlled trial Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 85 |
| Population | Patients with chronic primary headache |
| Intervention | Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy Primary headache Alexithymia |
| Key findings | MBCT significantly reduced pain intensity and pain catastrophizing and increased self-efficacy in patients with primary headache, with alexithymia as a potential moderator. |
Abstract
Background: Mindfulness-based intervention has been found efficacious in reducing primary headaches and negative cognitive-related pain. However, little is known about the potential moderators in this regard. One of the most important moderators affecting the headaches is Alexithymia.
Objective: The present study investigated the moderating role of Alexithymia on the effect of Mindfulness- Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on pain intensity in patients with primary headache.
Methods: A clinical trial was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at Imam Hossein Hospital of Tehran City, Iran. Using judgment sampling method, of 94 inpatients with chronic headache, 85 were selected and randomly assigned into the two groups of MBCT (43 patients) and control (42 patients). The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) of Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ) and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) were applied to collect data. The obtained data were analyzed by Independent Samples t-test and Chi-squared test; longitudinal data were analyzed using linear mixed model analysis.
Findings: Statistically significant time×group interactions were found for pain intensity (P<0.001), selfefficacy (P<0.001), and catastrophizing (P<0.001). The obtained results indicated a significant reduction in pain, pain catastrophizing and increased self-efficacy.
Conclusion: MBCT is a potentially efficacious approach for individuals with headache. Alexithymia may have clinically relevant factors for identifying the patients who may benefit most from MBCT as a pain intervention.