The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Group Therapy in Reducing Negative Automatic Thoughts and Dysfunctional Attitudes in Cancer Patients

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive group therapy (MBCT) in reducing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes in cancer patients. Methods: The study was an applied and quasi-experimental research conducted by pre- and post-testing. The sample consisted of 30 cancer patients selected by purposive sampling and randomly placed in the control and the experimental group (15 individuals per group). The members of both groups filled out the automatic thoughts questionnaire (ATQ) and the dysfunctional attitudes scale (DAS-26) at the pre- and the post-test stage. The collected data were analyzed by the SPSS software and multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) tests. Results: The results indicated that MBCT significantly reduced negative automatic thoughts (F = 126.15, P < 0.01) and dysfunctional attitudes (F = 179.53, P < 0.01) in the experimental group at the post-test stage in comparison to the control group. Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is essential that therapeutic centers and support forums related to patients with refractory disorders use MBCT in their programs for reducing negative automatic thoughts and dysfunctional attitudes.