A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Therapy on Anxiety Sensitivity in patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular disease is a major medical problem worldwide.The purpose of the present researchwas to examine a comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction therapy on anxiety sensitivity in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

This research was a quasi-experimental one with the plan of the pre-test posttest, and control group. The statistics of this research consisted of patients with CVD who were treated at Kasra Hospital in Tehran in 2019. The samples were 135 patients aged 40-65 years with CVD identified among patients assigned to the two groups experimental and one control group.Data were collected using the Anxiety Sensitivity Index. The research data results were analyzed using the methods of multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).

Multivariate analysis of covariance showed that cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapy significantly decreased anxiety sensitivity, physical concern, social concern, and cognitive concern in the experimental group (p<0.001).

These results suggest that cognitive-behavioral therapy and mindfulness-based therapy could adjust anxiety sensitivityin patients with CVD.Based on the results, these two interventions can by promoting social skills, realistic view of cognitive abilities and adaptive coping styles, reduce the anxiety sensitivity in patients with CVD.