Comparing the Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Life Therapy on Cognitive Flexibility and Psychological Capital in Patients with Dyspepsia Without Ulcers

Patients experiencing dyspepsia without ulcers often encounter psychological challenges necessitating therapeutic interventions. This semi-experimental study aimed to compare the effectiveness of cognitive therapy based on mindfulness and life therapy on cognitive flexibility and psychological capital in such patients. The research employed a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population comprised individuals aged 25 to 50 diagnosed with indigestion without ulcers at Tuba Gastroenterology clinics in Sari and Ghaemshahr cities in 2022. A total of 45 participants were selected through available sampling, with 15 each in the experimental groups (mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and life therapy) and the control group. The experimental groups underwent eight sessions of therapy once a week for 90 minutes. Data were collected using the cognitive flexibility questionnaire by Dennis and Vanderwal (2010) and the psychological capital questionnaire by Loutans and Olive (2007) at pre-test, post-test, and a two-month follow-up. Mixed analysis of variance and Benferroni's post hoc test were applied for data analysis in SPSS version 24 software. Results indicated a significant main effect of both cognitive therapy groups, with 53% of cognitive flexibility and 44% of changes attributed to the interventions. Furthermore, a significant difference was observed between the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and life therapy, with the former showing a greater impact on cognitive flexibility and psychological capital (P < 0.01). The findings suggest that both cognitive therapies based on mindfulness and life therapy can effectively enhance cognitive flexibility and psychological capital in patients with dyspepsia without ulcers.