Comparison of Effectiveness of Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction in Depression and Severity of Symptoms in Women with Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Background: In addition to pervasive pain, patients with fibromyalgia also complain about impaired cognitive functions, anxiety, and depression. Objectives: This study was conducted with the aim of comparing the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and intensive short-term dynamic psychotherapy (ISTDP) in depression and the severity of symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia. Methods: This was an experimental study with a pretest-posttest design and a control group with a 3-month follow-up. The statistical population covered all female patients with fibromyalgia visiting the Rheumatology Clinic of Rasool Akram Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Based on inclusion criteria and the convenience sampling method, 36 individuals were selected and randomly assigned to 3 groups (2 experimental groups and a control group). Each experimental group received treatment (i.e., MBSR, eight 120-minute sessions, or ISTDP, eight 120-minute sessions). The research instruments included the Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition and the Combined Index of Severity of Fibromyalgia. The results were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results showed that both interventions, namely MBSR and ISTDP, effectively reduced depression and the severity of symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia (P < 0.001). Mindfulness-based stress reduction and ISTDP were also significantly different in terms of effectiveness, with ISTDP being more effective with a longer-term follow-up effect (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction and ISTDP were effective and practical methods for reducing depression and the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms. It is recommended that psychotherapists and counselors adopt these approaches to reduce depression and the severity of fibromyalgia symptoms in patients and help improve and reduce their symptoms.