Mindfulness training for reducing anger, anxiety, and depression in fibromyalgia patients.

Alberto Amutio,JosÃ© J. GÃ¡zquez,MarÃ­a de Carmen PÃ©rez-Fuentes,Isabel Mercader,Clemente Franco

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01572

Alberto Amutio, JosÃ© J. GÃ¡zquez + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01572

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Abstract

Fibromyalgia is a disabling syndrome. Results obtained with different therapies are very limited to date. The goal of this study was to verify whether the application of a mindfulness-based training program was effective in modifying anger, anxiety, and depression levels in a group of women diagnosed with fibromyalgia. This study is an experimental trial that employed a waiting list control group. Measures were taken at three different times: pretest, posttest, and follow-up. The statistical analyses revealed a significant reduction of anger (trait) levels, internal expression of anger, state anxiety, and depression in the experimental group as compared to the control group, as well as a significant increase in internal control of anger. It can be concluded that the mindfulness-based treatment was effective after 7 weeks. These results were maintained 3 months after the end of the intervention.

Highlights

Fibromyalgia is an incapacitating syndrome of unknown etiology
Significant lower scores were observed in the experimental group on State Anger (Z = −3.57; p = 0.001), Angry Feelings (Z = −3.16; p = 0.005), Anger Expression-In (Z = −4.32; p = 0.000), State-Anxiety (Z = −5.43; p = 0.000), and Depression (Z = −3.26; p = 0.005), and higher scores in internal control of anger (Z = −3.41; p = 0.001) when compared to the control group
Significant improvements were attained in the internal control of anger

Summary

Introduction

Fibromyalgia is an incapacitating syndrome of unknown etiology. About 32.3% of fibromyalgia patients have an anxiety disorder, and 34.8% have a mood disorder, especially of a depressive type (Comeche et al, 2012; Parra et al, 2012). Anger toward oneself is high in these patients (Sayar et al, 2004). These negative emotions can increase or amplify pain (Sayar et al, 2004; van Middendorp et al, 2013). The way that people with fibromyalgia process and regulate their emotions may be relevant for adjustment to pain (Geenen et al, 2012)

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