INVESTIGATING THE EFFECT OF MINDFULNESS-BASED COGNITIVE THERAPY (MBCT) ON DEPRESSION, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND ANXIETY IN MS PATIENTS

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological diseases in humans and the most disabling disease of young adults. The present paper aims at investigating the effect of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on depression, quality of life, and anxiety in MS patients. Materials & Methods: The method of the study included pretest-posttest control group design. Participants of the study were all female patients with MS in the city of Sari who referred to Boali Sina Hospital. Participants were selected using the voluntary sampling method and were randomly assigned into an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received 8 sessions of two hour treatment. After the treatment, both groups completed Spielberger anxiety inventory, quality of life questionnaire (36SF-), and Harris-Lingoes depression scale. ANCOVA was used to analyze the collected data. Results: The results of the analysis of covariance revealed that the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy was effective in decreasing depression and anxiety and improving the quality of life of patients with MS. Conclusion: With regard to the effect of the mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on depression, anxiety, and the quality of life in patients with MS and the continuation of its effect, the use of such a method seems to be essential at all levels of prevention and for treatment of patients with physical and mental illnesses.