Comparing the efficacy of mindfulness-based stress reduction training and compassion-focused training on stress coping styles in patients with coronary heart disease

Introduction: This research aimed to compare the efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) training and Compassion-Focused Training (CFT) on stress coping styles in patients with coronary artery disease.   Materials and Methods: The statistical population of this clinical study consisted of all patients with coronary heart disease who referred to Saman Cardiology Clinic in Mashhad in July-August 2021. Forty-five patients were selected by voluntary method. They were randomly assigned into two experimental groups and one control group. The experimental groups received MBSR based on the Kabat-Zinn (2005) training plan, or CFT based on the Gilbert (2009) training plan in 8 sessions. The participants fulfilled the stress coping styles questionnaire of Lazarus and Folkman (1988). Data were analyzed using the mixed variance analysis test with repeated measures and SPSS-23 software.   Results: The results showed that training based on compassion increases the direct coping style and self-restraint and reduces the avoidance coping style and escape-avoidance coping style. The MBSR increases the responsibility coping style, planned problem-solving, positive reappraisal, and reduces escape-avoidance coping style, significantly (P lt; 0.01). Also, the efficacy of MBSR on responsibility was significantly higher than CFT (P lt; 0.05).   Conclusion: It seems that, mindfulness-based stress reduction training and compassion-focused training can improve the psychological condition of patients with coronary artery disease.