Attachment-Based Compassion Therapy for Reducing Anxiety and Depression in Fibromyalgia

Abstract

Ajuts: Financial support was obtained through Gobierno de Aragón's funding of regional excellence research groups (B17-20R). This study was supported by the Chair of Contemplative Sciences and Master of Mindfulness degree program of University of Zaragoza, Spain. The funders did not have any influence on the results.

Fibromyalgia patients often experience anxiety and depressive symptoms; however, validated interventions show only limited efficacy. This pilot study analyzed the effects of a 16-session version of attachment-based compassion therapy (ABCT-16) for improving anxiety and depressive symptomatology, as well as self-compassion and decentering, in 11 fibromyalgia patients. Scales were assessed at four time points: baseline, after sessions 8 and 16, and 3.5 months after the completion of the program. Significant improvements were found in all outcomes after the program, and most remained significant in the follow-up assessment. Our preliminary results suggest that ABCT-16 can be effective for improving anxiety and depressive symptomatology in fibromyalgia patients. Nonetheless, further studies with larger samples and control groups are necessary to confirm these results.