Effect of mindfulness on patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a controlled effect study

INTERVENTION: The research is set up as a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The research period is two years, during which time patients can be admitted to the program. Both CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) therapies are provided for patient groups, and will comprise 8 weekly sessions. A third group, consisting of waiting list patients, will function as the control group. Patients will be blindly assigned to one of the groups. As part of the mindfulness therapy, patients will be taught to experience events in a non‐judgemental way. Patients will learn to be more aware of their emotions and to better regulate these emotions, by living in the here and now. They will be better able to effectively deal with their disease. In the cognitive behavioural therapy, patients will be asked to be more aware of their thoughts concerning the disease and their coping with the disease. They will learn to change these thoughts so as to deal more effectively with disease‐related complaints such as pain. In the control (waiting list) group, patients will only receive the standard care. CONDITION: ; Rheumatoid arthritis, Cognitive behavior therapy, Mindfulness‐based stress reduction ; ; PRIMARY OUTCOME: The five primary endpoints of the current study are quality of life, psychological well‐being, pain acceptance, stress, and physical; functioning.; ; The primary outcome will be determined by letting participants fill in; questionnaires at pre‐determined times. In particular, on several occasions; the DAS28 score will be measured in order to measure disease activity. The; DAS28 is measured in any event several times per year for RA (Rheumatoid; Arthritis) patients. SECONDARY OUTCOME: Medical variables include time since diagnosis (from medical file), disease activity at baseline, co‐morbidity (from medical file), ; and use of medication, in particular anti‐depressant medication. Socio‐demographic variables (obtained by self report at the baseline) include age, gender, education level, and marital status. Psychological variables (obtained by self report) include type ; D personality, mindfulness, and social desirability. INCLUSION CRITERIA: Patients with RA diagnosis received at least one year ago and no more than five years ago will be included. Sufficient understanding of written and spoken Dutch is required.