The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Catastrophizing and Anxiety associated with Pain in Adolescents with Leukemia

Abstract

Background: Disorders and pain anxiety in adolescents with leukemia are very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on catastrophizing and anxiety associated with pain in adolescents with leukemia. Methods: A field experiment was conducted with a pretest and posttest design and control group. The statistical population of this study included all adolescents with leukemia in Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. Of these, 30 adolescents were selected as the sample (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group). The study tools used were the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)‎ and the Pain Anxiety Symptoms Scale (PASS-20). First, the pretest was conducted in both groups. Then, the experimental group was subjected to 8 sessions of MBCT twice a week and each time for 1.5 hours. After the intervention, posttest was conducted in the two groups. Follow-up was conducted in both groups ‎45 days after the completion of the intervention. Data analysis was performed using multivariate covariance analysis (MANCOVA) and one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Results: The results showed that MBCT decreased catastrophizing and anxiety associated with pain in adolescents with leukemia, and this reduction persisted at the follow-up stage. Conclusion: The present study results showed that MBCT decreased catastrophizing and anxiety associated with pain. MBCT is an effective therapeutic approach that is possible in the form of group work. This method can provide a conceptual structure to help clients adapt to and accept their problems.