Comparing the Effectiveness of Schema Therapy with Mindfulness Therapy on Pain Control and Executive Function in Female Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Authors
ameneh fereydoni
mohammad rajabi
aliakbar daremi
Department of Psychology, Torbat Jam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Torbat Jam, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: Due to the increasing number of rheumatoid arthritis patients and their psychological problems, the purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of schema therapy with mindfulness therapy on pain control and executive function in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Methods: The current research method was a semi-experimental type, which was conducted as a pre-test, and post-test, with a control group and a 2-month follow-up. The statistical population of this research included all patients aged 25 to 55 with rheumatoid arthritis who were referred to the rheumatology clinic of Razi Hospital in Rasht in 2001-1401. Among the statistical population, using the available sampling method and based on the scores of the McGill pain control questionnaires (1985) and Barclay's executive function deficits (2010) in the pre-test, 45 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria formed the statistical sample. These 45 individuals were randomly selected into 3 groups of 15 each (2 experimental groups and one control group) with schema therapy for the experimental group (A) and mindfulness therapy for the second group (experimental group B). Control (C) was placed on the waiting list.

Results: The results showed that both schema therapy and mindfulness treatment were effective for pain control and executive function in female patients with rheumatoid arthritis, but there were no significant differences between each other.

Conclusion: Therefore, it can be said that both schema therapy and mindfulness therapy can be used to increase pain control and improve the executive functions of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Both approaches are effective methods for reducing psychological problems in autoimmune patients such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Keywords
Schema therapy
mindfulness therapy
pain control
executive functioning
Rheumatoid Arthritis
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