Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Conscious Yoga on State and Trait Anxiety and Quality Of Life in Women with Obesity

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is the common problem of general health and of the main concerns of world health organization. Quality of life in obese individuals usually faces various problems and they experience a high level of anxiety. So, the present study was conducted with the aim of examining the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and conscious yoga on state and trait anxiety and quality of life in Women with Obesity.
Methods: The study was quasi-experimental with pre-test, post-test, control group and a 2-month follow-up. 24 patients among Women with Obesity who referred to clinic in Tehran were selected in an available way and were randomly assigned into experimental (n1 = 12) and control groups (n2 = 12). The anxiety level and quality of life of the participants are measured using state and trait anxiety inventory (STAI) by spielberger et al (1970). and quality of life questionnaire (SF-36) by wier et al (1988) in pre-test stages. Then, participants of experimental group received group mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and conscious yoga for 8 sessions. After completing the interventions patients ' quality of life level was measured again and data were analyzed using covariance analysis.
Findings: Findings showed mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can significantly increase quality of life in women of experimental group and significantly decrease state and trait anxiety in them.
Conclusion: The results of this study proposes some evidences that mindfulness-based cognitive therapy can be an appropriate therapeutic method for improving quality of life and decreasing state and trait anxiety in women with obesity. So, applying mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is recommended to increase quality of life and decrease anxiety in women with obesity.