Intractable Rare Dis Res. 2025;14(3):203-209. (DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2025.01024)

The effects of mindfulness-based cognitive behavioral group program for patients with intractable disease and high depression

Ueda Y


SUMMARY

This study examined the efficacy of a Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Behavioral Group Program (MCBGP) designed to improve the mental health of patients with intractable diseases. Adults (n = 35) with such diseases participated in the study. They were categorized into a high- or low-depression group based on the Profile of Mood States (POMS) depression subscale score of 60 as the cutoff score. MCBGP was conducted monthly over three sessions, each session lasting 120 minutes. Each session consisted of psychoeducation, self-disclosure, and mindfulness meditation. The program outcomes were evaluated using the Stanford University Chronic Disease Self-Management Questionnaire, the POMS, and the World Health Organization Quality of Life instruments. The results showed that in the high-depression group (n = 11), health distress (p = 0.013), activity limitations (p = 0.022), depression (p < 0.001), anxiety/tension (p = 0.002), anger/irritability (p = 0.004), fatigue (p = 0.023), and confusion (p = 0.033) were significantly reduced. The total quality of life scores were significantly improved (p = 0.028) after the program, whereas no significant improvements were observed in the low-depression group (n = 24). It was concluded that the MCBGP was effective in improving mental health outcomes and enhanced the quality of life in patients with intractable diseases and comorbid depression.


KEYWORDS: intractable disease, mindfulness meditation, depression, QOL, cognitive behavioral group therapy

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