Comparison of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and Integrated Transdiagnostic Psychotherapy for Emotion Regulation and Distress Tolerance

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac disease significantly impacts global health, causing substantial disability and mortality. This study compared the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) and integrated transdiagnostic psychotherapy (ITP) on emotion regulation and distress tolerance in patients with type D personality, characterized by social inhibition and negative affectivity. Methods: A semi-experimental design randomly assigned 60 cardiac patients with type D personality from Simorgh Heart Clinic, Mashhad, Iran, in 2022, to MBCT group (n = 20), ITP group (n = 20) and control group (n = 20). The MBCT and ITP groups received respective interventions, while the control group received no intervention. Emotion regulation and distress tolerance were assessed using validated scales before and after the interventions. Results: MBCT demonstrated significantly greater improvement in both emotion regulation and distress tolerance compared to ITP and the control group. Conclusion: This study suggests that MBCT may be a more effective intervention than ITP in improving emotion regulation and distress tolerance in cardiac patients with type D personality. Mindfulness-based approaches could offer valuable tools for managing emotional challenges in this population. Corresponding Author: Mehdi Nayyeri View Orcid in Profile You can search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Profile

Keywords

• therapy
• emotion regulation
• distress tolerance
• cardiac patients personality