The Effectiveness of Applied Relaxation Training Based on Mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Sensitivity of Women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder

The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of Applied Relaxation Training based on Mindfulness and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Anxiety Sensitivity of women with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. The participants were 60 women who were suffering from generalized anxiety disorder. They were placed in experimental and control groups following the experimental design of pre-test and post-test with a control group. The participants of groups responded to Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire—IV and GAD-7 and anxiety sensitivity Inventory. The experimental groups received the training for 16 sessions. At the end of treatment period and three month after that، the participants of groups again responded to Questionnaires. To analyze research data، Mixed Repeated Measures were used. The results showed that decrease in Fear of Publicly Observable Anxiety Reaction and Fear of Cognitive Discontrol (AR and CBT)، Fear of Cardiovascular Symptom and Fear of Respiratory (only AR) subscales were observed after psychotherapies in post-test and follow up phase. Also finding showed psychotherapies in fear of publicly observable anxiety reaction had highest partial eta squared. These results provide strong evidence for changes in anxiety sensitivity during CBT and AR influence in generalized anxiety disorder symptoms. Overall the results of research showed anxiety sensitivity is as an important factor of personality that changes with training.