Effectiveness of a Combined Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Depression Symptoms and Quality of Life in a Group of Iranian Veterans with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Abstract

Background: Comorbidity of anxiety and mood disorders is rather common, making the treatment of each disorder more difficult. Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the anxiety disorders with a high degree of association with depression; PTSD-depression comorbidity can significantly affect the quality of life of the ones affected. Hence, using the best way to deal with each of these disorders is highly recommended. Objectives: The current study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a combined treatment of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) on PTSD and comorbid depression in combat veterans. Methods: Among patients referring to Kashan Veterans Counseling Center, 62 patients diagnosed with comorbid PTSD and depression according to diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders-fourth edition-text revision (DSM-IV-TR) were selected, and randomly assigned into the two groups of case and control. The study was conducted in 2012. Results: Statistical analysis showed that after the intervention, the depression scores of the case group significantly decreased, while the similar trend was not observed in the control group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the total score and the scores of "mental health" and "social functioning" subscales of quality of life significantly increased in the case group. Conclusions: According to the observed results, it seems that the combined treatment administered to the case group could aid the participants overcoming depression symptoms and subsequently raised their quality of life.