Comparison of the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and a Quality of Life-Based Therapy on Rumination in Patients With Migraine

The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and quality of life-based therapy on rumination were compared in patient with migraine. The present study also investigated the effectiveness of quality of life-based therapy and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.

This quasi-experimental study with 3 (2 experimental and one control) groups was carried out with pretest-post test design. The study population consisted of all patients with migraine headache referring to Torbat Heidarie hospitals and clinics from June to July 2018. The samples were 45 patients who were selected by random sampling and then randomly allocated to 2 experimental groups and one control group each with 15 members. One experimental group underwent mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and the other received quality of life based therapy. The control group received no intervention. Research instruments were Ahvaz Migraine Questionnaire and Huksema and Maro’s Ruminative Response Scale. The tools were filled out by the participants before and after the interventions. The data was analyzed in SPSS version 22.

The mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and quality of life-based therapy significantly improved rumination in patients with migraine. In addition, the effectiveness of the 2 interventions was not significantly different.

The educational interventions based on modifying basic cognitions, replacing negative intrusive thoughts with positive thoughts, and avoiding and neutralizing intrusive thoughts through mindfulness-based cognitive methods and interventions based on improving quality of life resulted in a substantial improvement of rumination and frequent intrusive thoughts. Indeed, changes in cognitive reactions to pain and altering beliefs and expectations are the main mechanisms for improving headache.