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Comparison of the effectiveness of two mindfulness and logotherapy methods on anxiety index in chronic daily headache of women with marital conflict: A clinical trial study

Samaneh Veisi, Bijan Pirnia

Chronic Diseases Journal March 6, 2023 DOI: 10.22122/cdj.v8i2.510 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 45
Population Women with chronic daily headache and marital conflict referred to psychiatric centers in Hamadan City, Iran
Interventions Mindfulness therapy Logotherapy
Duration 8 weekly sessions, with evaluation before and after treatment
Topics Anxiety Meditation
Keywords Logotherapy
Key findings Both mindfulness therapy and logotherapy reduced total anxiety scores in women with chronic daily headache and marital conflict. Logotherapy reduced apparent anxiety and hidden anxiety more than mindfulness therapy did. The authors conclude that logotherapy was associated with more favorable therapeutic outcomes and suggest these findings may have clinical applications in family interventions.

Abstract

Background: Anxiety is considered as the most common psychiatric disorder and the most common response to stress stimuli. Women with marital conflict experience a significant level of anxiety, which can have an adverse effect on other psychological and, in general, quality of life. This study was conducted to compare the effectiveness of two mindfulness and logotherapy methods on anxiety in women with chronic daily headache (CDH) with marital conflict.

Methods: In a randomized clinical trial (RCT), during April 2015 to July 2015, 45 female patients with marital conflict were selected from among the referrers to the psychiatric centers of Hamadan City, Iran, using a purposive sampling method and were assigned into two treatment and control groups through block randomization method. Two mindfulness and logotherapy methods were presented in the form of 8 weekly sessions to the participants of the experimental group and the control group merely received the routine treatments of the center. Evaluation of two anxiety and marital conflict indices was performed at two points before and after treatment. The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and Shefeh test in the software environment of SPSS.

Results: The primary outcomes of the study showed that both mindfulness therapy and logotherapy were associated with a decrease in total anxiety scores (P < 0.0010). Secondary outcomes also showed that logotherapy had a significant effect in reducing apparent anxiety (P < 0.0010) and hidden anxiety (P < 0.0040) compared to mindfulness therapy.

Conclusion: The results of this study, consistent with the research background, suggest that both mindfulness therapy and logotherapy are effective in reducing anxiety syndrome in women. However, the logotherapy was associated with more favorable therapeutic outcomes. These findings can have clinical applications in the context of family interventions.

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on anxiety, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Prevention of relapse/recurrence in major depression by mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. Recovered recurrently depressed patients 2000 Randomized controlled trial n = 145
Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Cancer patients with life-threatening diagnoses and symptoms of depression and/or anxiety 2016 Randomized controlled trial n = 51
Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Patients with cancer-related anxiety and depression 2016 Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial n = 29
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Hallucinogen-naïve adults reporting regular participation in religious or spiritual... 2006 Double-blind study n = 36
Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Adults with advanced-stage cancer and anxiety 2010 Double-blind, placebo-controlled study n = 12

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