The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Life Expectancy and Depression in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system (CNS) that can affect life expectancy and depression in patients suffering from this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on life expectancy and depression in patients with MS. Methods: The study adopted a pretest-posttest research design with a control group. The statistical population included all patients with MS enrolled in the MS Society of Tehran, Iran, from 2009 to 2016. Using simple random sampling, 30 subjects were assigned to two experimental and control groups. The research tools included the Life Expectancy Questionnaire (LEQ) ‎and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed using univariate analysis of covariance in SPSS software. Results: MBCT training led to significantly higher life expectancy in the experimental group with a greater mean life expectancy in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.01; F = 42.22). Moreover, MBCT training reduced depression in the experimental group with a higher mean depression score than that of the control group (P < 0.0001; F = 22.53). Conclusion: It can be concluded that MBCT training increased life expectancy and decreased depression in the experimental group.