Comparing the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction training and compassion-focused training on stress coping styles in patients with coronary heart disease

This research aimed to compare the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training and Compassion-Focused Training (CFT) on stress coping styles in patients with coronary artery disease.

The statistical population of this clinical study consisted of all patients with coronary heart disease who referred to Saman Cardiology Clinic in Mashhad in July-August 2021. Forty-five patients were selected by voluntary method. They were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental groups received MBSR based on the Kabat-Zinn (2005) training plan, or CFT based on the Gilbert (2009) training plan in 8 sessions. The participants fulfilled the stress coping styles questionnaire of Lazarus and Folkman (1988). Data were analyzed using the mixed variance analysis test with repeated measures and SPSS-23 software.

The results showed that training based on compassion increases the direct coping style and self-restraint and reduces the avoidance coping style and escape-avoidance coping style. The MBSR increases the responsibility coping style, planned problem-solving, positive reappraisal, and reduces escape-avoidance coping style, significantly (P< 0.01). Also, the efficacy of MBSR on responsibility was significantly higher than CFT (P< 0.05).

It seems that, mindfulness-based stress reduction training and compassion-focused training can improve the psychological condition of patients with coronary artery disease.