The effect of internet-delivered Mindfulness Stress Reduction combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on health anxiety and quality of life of caregiver of patients infected by COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial.
Shahidi, S., Zargar, F., Aghaee Khajelangi, H., & Tarrahi, M. J. (2023). The effect of internet-delivered Mindfulness Stress Reduction combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on health anxiety and quality of life of caregiver of patients infected by COVID-19: A randomized clinical trial. International Journal of Community Based Nursing and Midwifery, 11(2), 110-121. Doi: 10.30476/IJCBNM.2023.97271.2172.
Background: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) is a widespread disease all over the world that has caused many psychological complications such as health anxiety (HA) and low quality of life (QOL). Mindfulness-based approaches could improve these complications. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of Internet-delivered mindfulness stress reduction combined with acceptance and commitment therapy (IMSR-ACT) on QOL and HA of caregivers of patients infected by COVID-19.
Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 72 people from Golpayegan city, Iran, who had a patient with COVID-19 in their family were selected from March to June 2020. A caregiver with a score above 27 on the Health Anxiety inventory (HAI-18) was selected using simple random sampling. Participants were assigned in the intervention or control group by permuted block random allocation. The intervention group was trained by MSR and ACT techniques for 9 weeks accomplished via WhatsApp. All participants completed the QOLQuestionnaire-12 (SF-12) items and HAI-18 before and after completing IMSR-ACT sessions. The data were analyzed through SPSS-23 software, using Chi square, independent and paired t-test, and analysis of covariance, and P-value<0.05 was considered as significant.
Results: The results showed that the intervention group compared to the control group had a significant decrease in all subscales of HAI after the intervention including worry about consequences (5.78±2.66 vs. 7.37±1.34, P=0.004) and awareness of bodily sensation or changes (8.90±2.77 vs. 11.75±2.30, P=0.001), worry about health (10.94±2.38 vs. 13.09±1.92, P=0.001), and total score of HAI (25.62±4.93 vs. 32.25±3.93, P=0.001). Also, the intervention group compared to the control group had better QOL after the intervention in general health perceptions (3.03±0.96 vs. 2.43±0.95, P=0.01), mental health (7.12±2.25 vs. 6.34±1.85 and P=0.01) and mental component summary) 16.78±3.75 vs. 15.43±3.05, P=0.01), physical component summary (16.06±2.66 vs. 15.19±2.25, P=0.01), and total score of SF-12 (32.84±5.39 vs. 30.62±4.34, P=0.004).
Conclusion: Internet-delivered MSR combined with ACT could improve the HA and QOL of caregivers with patients infected by COVID-19. Thus, it can used in other similar situations for now and future. Also, it seems to be a useful approach for caregivers of the other illnesses.
Chronic pain rehabilitation: Active pain management that helps you get back to the life you love.
Parks, E. (2020). Chronic pain rehabilitation: Active pain management that helps you get back to the life you love. Manitou Springs, CO: Wondering Words Media.
Chronic Pain Rehabilitation: Active Health Management to Help You Get Back to the Life You Love is about understanding how chronic pain develops and gives you ways you can manage the pain and get back to the life you love. Written in accessible language, you will learn how the
brain and body produce pain, how the nervous system can be rewired, and how you can move forward with your life. This book will be the guide you need to get your life back. You will learn:
- The different types of pain and their causes
How to calm down your overactive nervous system and reduce your pain - The three steps to active pain management that will get you moving again
- How to manage the stress that comes with chronic pain
- How to move forward when pain is getting in your way
- How to actively rewire your brain
Following the core principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, you will learn how to let go of what is getting in your way, stay connected to the present moment, and move forward with your life.