The Effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy on Psychological Symptoms and Anxiety Sensitivity in Women with Panic Disorder

Objective: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mindfulness-based cognitive therapy on psychological symptoms and anxiety sensitivity in women with panic disorder. Methods and Materials: The research employed a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test assessments. The statistical population included women with panic disorder who attended counseling centers in Tehran in 2023. A total of 30 participants were selected through convenience sampling and were then randomly assigned to an experimental group (15 participants) and a control group (15 participants). Data were collected using questionnaires on psychological symptoms and anxiety sensitivity. The experimental group underwent an eight-session, two-hour mindfulness-based cognitive therapy intervention, while the control group received no intervention. After the intervention, both groups were reassessed in the post-test phase. Findings: The findings indicated that the mean scores of psychological symptoms and anxiety sensitivity in the experimental group showed a significant reduction in the post-test compared to the pre-test. Conclusion: Therefore, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is effective in reducing psychological symptoms and anxiety sensitivity in women with panic disorder.