Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a quasiexperimental study / Terapia de aceitação e compromisso em grupo para dor crônica: estudo quase-experimental

Objective Chronic pain is an important health problem and affects both quality of life and mental health. This study assessed psychological inflexibility, pain intensity, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support among patients with chronic pain. Method A quasiexperimental design was used to assess six adult participants pre- and post-group intervention (eight sessions) based on acceptance and commitment therapy. Results After the intervention, the patients experienced a reduction in psychological inflexibility, pain, and depression and anxiety symptoms and improvements in quality of life and self-efficacy. The quality of life and depression symptoms and the domains of quality of life and psychological inflexibility were negatively correlated. Conclusion Acceptance and commitment therapy is a promising treatment for the interdisciplinary treatment of the Pain Clinic.

Objetivo Dor crônica é um problema de saúde prevalente que acarreta prejuízos para qualidade de vida e saúde mental. Este estudo avaliou inflexibilidade psicológica, intensidade da dor, qualidade de vida, sintomas de ansiedade e de depressão, autoeficácia e suporte social em pacientes com dor crônica. Método Utilizou delineamento quase-experimental e os seis participantes adultos foram avaliados por meio de instrumentos no pré e pós-intervenção em grupo (oito sessões) com Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso. Resultados Após a intervenção houve redução da inflexibilidade psicológica e da dor, melhora da qualidade de vida, redução dos sintomas de ansiedade e de depressão e aumento da autoeficácia. Houve correlação inversa entre qualidade de vida e sintomas de depressão e entre domínios da qualidade de vida e inflexibilidade psicológica. Conclusão Conclui-se que a Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso é um tratamento promissor a ser integrado no atendimento interdisciplinar da Clínica de dor.

Effect of online acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention on psychological flexibility of undergraduate students with facial negative physical self / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of online acceptance and commitment therapy(ACT) group intervention on psychological flexibility of undergraduate students with facial negative physical self.Methods:From March to June 2022, thirty-two undergraduates with facial negative physical self-image were recruited, assessed and selected from a university in Zhejiang Province.The subjects were randomly divided into the training group( n=16) and the control group( n=16). The training group received 20 days of online ACT group intervention, while the control group kept waiting.The cognitive fusion questionnaire(CFQ), acceptance and action questionnaire version Ⅱ(AAQ-Ⅱ) and negative physical self scale-face(NPSS-F) were used to measure the two groups before and after intervention and 1 month after intervention.Repeated measurement analysis of variance(ANOVA) conducted was used to compare scale results with SPSS 26.0. Results:(1)The interaction effect between group and time of CFQ scores was statistically significant( F(1.625, 48.755)=4.316, P=0.025, ηp2=0.126). After intervention, the CFQ score of the training group was significantly lower than those of the control group(34.38±8.66, 40.94±8.82, P<0.05). The CFQ scores of the training group after intervention and 1 month after intervention(36.00±9.49) were both significantly lower than those before intervention(41.87±8.72, all P<0.05). (2)The interaction effect between group and time of AAQ-Ⅱ scores was marginally statistically significant( F(2, 29)=3.009, P=0.065, ηp2=0.172). After intervention, the AAQ-Ⅱ score of the training group was significantly lower than those of the control group(24.12±4.97, 28.69±6.78, P<0.05). The AAQ-Ⅱ score of the training group after intervention was significantly lower than those before intervention(28.75±6.11, P<0.05). (3)The interaction effect between group and time of NPSS-F scores was not statistically significant( F(2, 29)=1.509, P=0.238, ηp2=0.094), while the main effect of time was marginally statistically significant between the two groups( F(2, 29)=3.315, P=0.051, ηp2=0.186). The NPSS-F score of the training group after intervention was significantly lower than those before intervention(16.06±6.67, 18.81±7.85, P<0.05). Conclusion:Online ACT group intervention can effectively reduce the cognitive fusion and experiential avoidance of undergraduate students with facial negative physical self, then can improve their psychological flexibility.

Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on self-disclosure, coping style and post-traumatic growth of patients with ovarian cancer receiving chemotherapy after surgery / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explorethe effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on self-disclosure, coping style and post-traumatic growth in patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy after surgery.Methods:A total of 84 patients with ovarian cancer undergoing chemotherapy after surgery were recruited from the gynecology ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China for randomized controlled trial, from February 2022 to October 2022. All participants were divided into the intervention group and the control group with 42 patients in each group by random number table method. The patients in control group received routine care. The intervention group was given acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on the basis of the control group and intervened for three cycles of chemotherapy. The scores of Distress Disclosure Index (DDI), Cancer Coping Modes Questionnaire (CCMQ), and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were compared between the two groups before and after intervention.Results:There was no significant difference in the scores of DDI, CCMQ and PTGI between the two groups before intervention ( P>0.05). After intervention, DDI scorein intervention group was (38.81 ± 5.96) points, significantly higher than that in control group (34.43 ± 4.79) points, the difference was statistically significant ( t = 3.71, P<0.01). In terms of coping styles, after intervention, the scores of five dimensions of fantasy, resignation, avoidance, catharsis and confrontation were 6.00(6.00, 8.00), 9.00(8.00, 12.00), 9.00(8.75, 11.00), 7.00(6.00, 8.00) and 20.00(16.00, 21.00) points in the invention group, compared with the control group of 8.00(7.75, 9.00), 11.00(9.75, 13.00), 11.00(9.00, 13.00), 9.00(8.00, 12.00) and 16.00(13.00, 18.50) points, the differences were statistically significant ( Z = 2.86 to 5.11, all P<0.01). The total PTGI score in intervention group was (71.43 ± 8.68) points, significantly higher than that in control group(63.98 ± 6.92) points, the difference was statistically significant ( t = 4.35, P<0.01). Conclusions:ACT can increase self-disclosure, enhance positive coping, and promote post-traumatic growth in ovarian cancer patientsundergoing chemotherapy after surgery.

The influence of acceptance and commitment therapy on the psychological flexibility, self-compassion, anxiety and depression of the primary caregivers of patients with primary liver cancer / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To explore the intervention effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on the psychological flexibility, self-compassion, anxiety and depression of the primary caregivers of patients with primary liver cancer, so as to provide reference for the clinical care of the primary caregivers of cancer patients.Methods:This was a prospective study. A total of 80 primary caregivers of patients with primary liver cancer treated in Tianyou Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University of Science and Technology from July to December 2021 were selected as the observation objects, and they were randomly divided into the control group and the intervention group according to the random drawing method, with 40 cases in each group. The control group was given routine nursing measures, while the intervention group was given acceptance and commitment therapy on the basis of routine nursing. The intervention effect was evaluated by the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-Ⅱ), Self-Compassion Scale Short-Form (SCS-SF) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before the intervention, on the day of discharge, and one month after discharge.Results:Finally, 71 primary caregivers completed the intervention and follow-up, 36 in the control group and 35 in the intervention group. Before the intervention, there was no statistically significant difference in the scores of AAQ-Ⅱ, SCS-SF, Anxiety subscale of HADS(HADS-A) and Depression subscale of HADS(HADS-D) between the two groups ( P>0.05). The AAQ-Ⅱscores of the intervention group on the day of discharge and one month after discharge were (19.63±2.59), (19.12 ± 2.20) points, which were significantly lower than those of the control group (23.14 ± 2.49), (22.56 ± 2.40) points. The differences were statistically significant ( t=5.83, 6.25, both P<0.01). The SCS-SF scores of the intervention group on the day of discharge and one month after discharge were (39.34 ± 2.68), (39.89 ± 2.81) points, which were significantly higher than those of the control group (36.69 ± 3.08), (37.72 ± 2.41) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t=-3.86, -3.49, both P<0.01). The HADS-A/HADS-D scores of the intervention group on the day of discharge and one month after discharge were (9.31 ± 1.95), (9.09 ± 1.60) points and (8.80 ± 2.15), (8.54 ± 1.75) points,which were significantly lower than those of the control group(11.42 ± 1.50), (11.03 ± 1.70) points and (10.11 ± 1.92), (10.03 ± 1.84) points, the differences were statistically significant( t values were 2.71-5.10, all P<0.01). The scores of AAQ-Ⅱ, SCS-SF, HADS-A and HADS-D of the two groups were analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance, and there were significant differences in time effect, inter-group effect and interaction effect ( F vaules were 3.42-37.90, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Acceptance and commitment therapy can improve the self-compassion and psychological flexibility, reduce anxiety and depression of the primary caregivers of patients with primary liver cancer.

Cuidadores familiares de pessoas com demência: um estudo exploratório randomizado utilizando a Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso em grupo / Family caregivers of people with dementia: an exploratory randomized study using Group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Introdução: Estima-se que a prevalência de sintomas ansiosos em cuidadores familiares de pessoas com demência é igual ou maior do que a prevalência de sintomas depressivos, embora a ansiedade tenha sido pouco explorada na literatura voltada para este público. Estudos têm demonstrado que a Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT) pode ser utilizada com cuidadores familiares, com efeitos positivos sobre sintomas ansiosos. Entretanto, a ACT ainda não foi avaliada no formato em grupo e tampouco em países em desenvolvimento para este público. Objetivos: O trabalho foi subdividido em dois estudos. O objetivo do Estudo 1 foi revisar a literatura através de uma meta-análise e avaliar quantitativamente a eficácia da ACT em grupo, presencialmente, nos sintomas de ansiedade e depressão de adultos com 18 anos ou mais. O objetivo do Estudo 2 foi adaptar e avaliar os efeitos da ACT, em grupo, nos sintomas de ansiedade de cuidadores familiares de pessoas com demência. Método: No Estudo 1, quatro bases de dados foram pesquisadas em agosto/2018 e uma busca atualizada foi realizada em novembro/2021. Foram incluídos 48 estudos clínicos randomizados (3292 participantes: ansiedade = 34 ECRs; depressão = 40 ECRs). O Estudo 2, é um estudo exploratório randomizado, realizado em um único centro, não-cego. Cinquenta e sete cuidadores familiares de pessoas com demência foram randomizados para o grupo intervenção (n = 29) ou lista de espera (n = 28). O grupo intervenção participou de oito sessões de ACT em grupo, realizadas por vídeo conferência, semanalmente. Os participantes responderam aos questionários de avaliação de ansiedade, depressão, flexibilidade psicológica, qualidade de vida e sobrecarga, em três momentos diferentes: semanas 0, 9 e 20. Análises de regressão múltipla foram realizadas para comparar os escores dos participantes do grupo intervenção e controle, na semana 9 e 20. Os escores da linha de base foram usados como controle nas análises de intenção de tratamento (ITT) e dos participantes que participaram em pelo menos seis sessões de intervenção. Resultados: No Estudo 1 o tamanho de efeito para sintomas ansiosos foi de médio a grande (g=0,52, p < 0,001; 95% IC=0,30 ­ 0,73), já o tamanho de efeito para sintomas depressivos foi de pequeno a médio (g=0,47, p < 0,001; 95% IC=0,31 ­ 0,64). A amostra do Estudo 2 foi composta em sua maioria mulheres, de baixo a médio nível socioeconômico, com uma idade média de 52 anos e mediana de escolaridade de 15 anos. Participantes do grupo intervenção apresentaram pontuações mais baixas para sintomas de ansiedade e depressão, comparados com participantes do grupo controle. Este resultado foi encontrado nas semanas 9 e 20, tanto na análise de ITT, quanto na análise daqueles que completaram seis sessões ou mais. Apenas os participantes que participaram de pelo menos seis sessões, apresentaram redução da sobrecarga nas semanas 9 e 20, além de apresentarem melhora na qualidade de vida na semana 9. Os resultados não indicaram efeitos da intervenção na flexibilidade psicológica. Conclusão: Este estudo oferece evidências a favor da utilização da ACT em grupo, com familiares de pessoas com demência, auxiliando na redução dos sintomas ansiosos e depressivos.

Background: The prevalence of anxiety symptoms is estimated to be equal to or higher than the prevalence of depressive symptoms in family carers of people with dementia. However, anxiety is currently somehow neglected in the carer literature. Previous studies demonstrated that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is effective for treating anxiety symptoms in family carers of people with dementia, but the vast majority of these studies were conducted in developed countries. Objectives: The thesis was divided into two studies. Study 1 was a meta-analysis which aimed to quantitatively examine the efficacy of group-based ACT, delivered face-to-face, on anxiety and depressive symptoms in adults aged 18 or older. The Study 2 adapted and investigated the effectiveness of an ACT group intervention on the anxiety symptoms in Brazilian family carers of people with dementia. Method: In Study 1, four electronic databases were searched in August, 2018 and an update search was conducted in November, 2021. Forty-eight randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this review (3292 participants: anxiety = 34 RCTs, depression = 40 RCTs). Study 2 was a single-centre, unblinded, double-arm exploratory randomised trial. Fifty-seven family carers of people with dementia presenting with mild to severe anxiety symptoms were randomised to the intervention group (n = 29) or waiting list group (n = 28). The intervention group received eight weekly sessions of group ACT, delivered through videoconference. Participants completed the measure of anxiety and depressive symptoms, caregiver burden, psychological flexibility and quality of life at Weeks 0, 9 and 20. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether there was a significant difference in scores between the intervention and control groups, at weeks 9 and 20, while controlling for the baseline scores using both intention-to-treat (ITT) and completers data analyses. Results: In Study 1 the overall effect size for anxiety symptoms was medium-to-large (g = 0.52, p < 0.001; 95% CI =0.30­0.73), while the overall effect size was small-to-medium for depressive symptoms (g = 0.47, p < 0.001; 95% CI = 0.31­0.64). In Study 2 Participants were mostly women, from low- to middle-income socioeconomic levels, with a mean age of 52 years and median education of 15 years. Participants in the intervention group had lower scores of anxiety and depression symptoms compared to participants in the control condition at weeks 9 and 20 in both the ITT and completer analyses. Only participants who attended six or more sessions (i.e., completer sample) demonstrated reduced caregiver burden at both follow-up points. The completer sample also showed improvement in quality of life at week 9. The results did not show any effect of the intervention on psychological flexibility. Conclusion: This study provides evidence supporting the use of group ACT, delivered through videoconference, with family carers of people with dementia to help them cope better with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

The effect of psychological inflexibility on health-related quality of life, depression, and anxiety in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychological inflexibility, depression, anxiety, and quality of life in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss. METHODS: The study was carried out involving 85 patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss and a control group of 80 individuals. All participants completed the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait, the Beck Depression Inventory, and Short Form-36. RESULTS: The patient group exhibited higher Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (t=5.418, p<0.001), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (t=6.592, p<0.001), and Beck Depression Inventory (t=4.193, p<0.001) scores and lower physical component summary (t=4.648, p<0.001) and mental component summary (t=-5.492, p<0.001) scores than the control group. Psychological inflexibility predicted depression, anxiety, and impairment of quality of life. The effect of psychological inflexibility on physical component summary was mediated by depression (β=−0.15, [95%CI −0.299 to −0.017]), while its effect on mental component summary was mediated by anxiety and serial anxiety and depression (β=−0.17 [95%CI −0.344 to −0.055] and β=−0.06 [95%CI −0.116 to −0.100], respectively). CONCLUSION: Psychological inflexibility plays an important role in patients with chronic tinnitus without hearing loss. It is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression and decreased quality of life.

TREATING OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER WITH ACCEPTANCE AND COMMITMENT THERAPY AND EXPOSURE AND RESPONSE PREVENTION– A CLINICAL CASE ILLUSTRATION

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is ranked the top 10 of the most handicapping illnesses by lost income and decreased quality of life. Hence the need to overcome OCD is imminent. With the present case of OCD, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Exposure Prevention Response (ERP) were used for treating OCD. Assessment was done using Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale and Weiss Functional Impairment Rating Scale – Self report. Results show that OCD reduced signi?cantly after the treatment.

Terapia de aceitação e compromisso para redução do estresse em universitários: um estudo qualitativo / Acceptance and commitment therapy for university students: a qualitative study / Terapia de aceptación y compromiso para estudiantes universitarios: un estudio cualitativo

Este estudo teve como objetivo explorar a percepção de alunos de graduação em relação à sua participação em uma intervenção baseada na terapia de aceitação e compromisso (acceptance and commitment therapy[ACT]), para redução da inflexibilidade psicológica (IP) e do estresse em estudantes universitários. Parti­ciparam da pesquisa 21 alunos, de diferentes cursos de graduação, com idade média de 23,4 ± 5,61, sendo 71,4% do sexo feminino e 28,6% do sexo masculino. Os dados coletados nas entrevistas foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo e organizados em quatro categorias: experiência no programa, utilidade, viabilidade e sugestões e processos da ACT. Os resultados possibilitaram identificar que o programa foi uma experiên-cia positiva para os participantes. Além disso, constatou-se que a intervenção foi útil e viável, e possibili-tou que os estudantes desenvolvessem as habilidades necessárias para lidar melhor com as adversidades do dia a dia, sem que precisassem se afastar dos seus valores pessoais.

This study aims to explore undergraduate students' perception of their participation in an intervention, based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), to reduce psychological inflexibility (PI) and stress in undergraduate students. Twenty­one students from different undergraduate programs participated in the research, with an average age of 23.4 ± 5.61, of whom 71.4% were female and 28.6% were male. The data collected in the interviews were submitted to content analysis and organized into four categories: experience in the program, utility, feasibility, and ACT suggestions and processes. The results made it possible to identify that the program was a positive experience for the participants, the intervention was useful and feasible and enabled students to develop the requirements to better deal with the adversities of daily life without departing from their personal values.

Este estudio tiene como objetivo explorar la percepción de los estudiantes de pregrado sobre su participa-ción en una intervención, basada en la terapia de aceptación y compromiso (acceptance and commitment therapy [ACT]), para reducir la inflexibilidad psicológica (IP) y el estrés en los estudiantes de pregrado. En la investigación participaron 21 estudiantes de diferentes carreras, con una edad promedio de 23,4 ± 5,61, de los cuales el 71,4% eran mujeres y el 28,6% hombres. Los datos recolectados en las entrevistas fueron sometidos a análisis de contenido y organizados en cuatro categorías: experiencia en el programa, utilidad, factibilidad y sugerencias y procesos de ACT. Los resultados permitieron identificar que el programa fue una experiencia positiva para los participantes, la intervención fue útil y factible y permitió a los estudian-tes desarrollar los requisitos necesarios para enfrentar mejor las adversidades de la vida diaria, sin apar-tarse de sus valores personales.

Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on the disease adaptability and self-perceived burden among patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective:To investigate application evaluation of acceptance and commitment therapy among patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis.Methods:A total of 100 patients who undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis from March 2018 to January 2020 in Nephrology of Shanghai Tongji Hospital were assigned to the experimental groupand control group according to the random number table method with 50 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing care, while the experimental group implemented 6-week acceptance and commitment therapy. The effect was assessed by Self-report Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS-SR) and Self-perceived Burden Scale (SPBS).Results:After intervention, the scores of health care, working ability, family relationship, communication, entertainment and psychological status dimensionand total PAIS-SR were (7.93 ± 1.50), (9.11 ± 1.38), (6.61 ± 1.73), (6.82 ± 1.42), (6.82 ± 1.66), (8.18 ± 1.79), (50.91 ± 4.24) points in the experimental group, which were lower than those in the control group (9.63 ± 1.22), (10.78 ± 1.64), (7.50 ± 2.07), (7.57 ± 2.05), (7.50 ± 1.07), (9.43 ± 1.92), (58.02 ± 4.13) points, the differences were statistically significant between the two groups( t values were 2.02-8.07, all P<0.05). After intervention, the scores of physical burden, emotional burden dimension and total SPBS were (9.68 ± 1.75), (14.54 ± 1.76), (30.89 ± 2.99) points in the experimental group, which were lower than those in the control group (10.80 ± 1.82), (16.11 ± 2.04), (33.65 ± 3.19) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.98, 3.89, 4.24, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Acceptance and commitment therapy can improve the ability of disease adaptability and decrease self-perceived burden in patients undergoing early stage of peritoneal dialysis.

ACT em grupo para manejo de ansiedade entre universitários: ensaio clínico randomizado / Group therapy based on act for anxiety management among university students: randomized clinical trial / Terapia grupal basada en ACT para el manejo de la ansiedad entre estudiantes universitarios: ensayo clínico aleatorizado

Estima-se que um a cada cinco estudantes universitários ao redor do mundo apresenta algum tipo de transtorno psicológico, dentre os quais os transtornos de ansiedade são os mais prevalentes. Este estudo consiste em um ensaio clínico randomizado com o objetivo de avaliar a eficácia e efetividade de um protocolo semiestruturado de psicoterapia em grupo baseado nos princípios da Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT) para o tratamento de ansiedade entre estudantes universitários. Os participantes foram alocados aleatoriamente entre os grupos intervenção e controle. Os níveis de ansiedade pré e pós-intervenção foram avaliados por meio do instrumento General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7). A amostra final do estudo foi composta por 15 pessoas, dentre as quais 10 foram alocadas no grupo intervenção e 5, no grupo controle. Os resultados foram analisados de duas formas: a) por protocolo (Per-protocol analysis); e b) por intenção de tratar (Intention-to-treat Analysis). Este tratamento reduziu a sintomatologia ansiosa em 39,7% entre os pacientes que completaram o tratamento (por protocolo, p=0,030) e em 30,8% entre todos alocados para o grupo intervenção (i.e., por intenção de tratar, incluindo os dropouts, p=0,035), enquanto os controles não tiveram redução significativa no mesmo período. Portanto, recomenda-se a utilização deste protocolo dentro do contexto universitário como uma alternativa viável ao acompanhamento individual em situações de transtornos de ansiedade. Pesquisas futuras com amostras maiores podem contribuir na consolidação deste protocolo.

One in every five university students around the world is estimated to have some type of psychological disorder, considering anxiety disorders as the most prevalent. This study consists in a randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate efficacy and effectiveness of a semi-structured group psychotherapy protocol based on the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for the treatment of anxiety among university students. Participants were randomly allocated in the intervention and control groups. Pre- and post-intervention anxiety levels were measured using the General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. The study sample was composed of 15 people, 10 of whom were allocated to the intervention group and 5 to the control group. Results were analyzed in two ways: 1) Per protocol analysis; and 2) Intention-to-treat analysis. This treatment reduced anxiety symptoms by 39.7% among patients who completed treatment (Per protocol, p=0.003) and by 30.8% among all those allocated to the intervention group (i.e., by Intention-to-treat, including dropouts, p=0.035), whereas controls showed no significant reduction in same period. Therefore, we recommend the use of this protocol within the university context as a viable alternative to individual counselling in situations of anxiety disorders. Future research with larger samples may contribute to consolidate this protocol.

Se estima que uno de cada cinco estudiantes universitarios en todo el mundo tiene algún tipo de trastorno psicológico, entre los cuales los trastornos de ansiedad son los más frecuentes. Este estudio consiste en un ensayo clínico aleatorizado cuyo objetivo fue evaluar la eficacia y efectividad de un protocolo de psicoterapia grupal semiestructurada basado en los principios de la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT) para el tratamiento de la ansiedad en estudiantes universitarios. Se asignaron aleatoriamente a los participantes en los grupos de intervención y control. Los niveles de ansiedad antes y después de la intervención se midieron utilizando el instrumento General Anxiety Disorders-7 (GAD-7). La muestra final del estudio estuvo compuesta por 15 personas, de las cuales 10 fueron asignadas al grupo de intervención y 5 al grupo de control. Los resultados se analizaron de dos maneras: 1) por protocolo (Per protocol analysis); y 2) por intención de tratar (Intention-to-treat Analysis). Con este tratamiento los síntomas de ansiedad se redujeron en un 39,7% entre los pacientes que completaron el tratamiento (por protocolo, p=0,030) y en un 30,8% entre todos los asignados al grupo de intervención (es decir, por intención de tratar, incluidos los dropouts, p=0,035), mientras que los controles no tuvieron una reducción significativa en el mismo periodo. Por lo tanto, se recomienda utilizar este protocolo dentro del contexto universitario como una alternativa viable a lo asesoramiento individual en situaciones de trastornos de ansiedad. La investigación futura con muestras más grandes puede contribuir a la consolidación de esta modalidad.

Acceptance and commitment therapy-based behavioral intervention for insomnia: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Objective: To evaluate a protocol for acceptance and commitment therapy-based behavioral intervention for insomnia (ACT-BBI-I) in adults compared to cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I). Methods: Forty-five adults with chronic insomnia were randomized to ACT-BBI-I or CBT-I. Both interventions were performed in six weekly group sessions. The common treatment elements in both protocols included stimulus control and sleep restriction. CBT-I is focused on the cognitive restructuring of maladaptive beliefs about sleep and the daytime effects of insomnia. ACT-BBI-I focuses on therapeutic processes of acceptance, availability, values, defusion, and commitment. The results were evaluated through the following instruments: a sleep diary, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II, and the Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep scale. Results: Both interventions had a significant positive impact on sleep patterns, insomnia, anxiety, beliefs about sleep, and psychological flexibility. All improvement was maintained at the 6-month follow-up. Conclusion: The results suggest that integrating principles of ACT with behavioral techniques may be useful for treating insomnia. Further research should identify whether the principles of ACT result in added effectiveness compared to behavioral components alone. Clinical trial registration: RBR-7nc5wq

The safety and efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy against psychotic symptomatology: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a third-wave psychological intervention that has attracted considerable clinical and research attention. A previous meta-analysis of ACT trials in psychosis reported a large effect size of ACT against overall psychotic symptomatology. However, there were critical methodological issues in the review that justify replication. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing ACT vs. any comparator condition in a sample of adults with psychosis. The outcome of interest was overall psychotic symptomatology. Results: The search identified seven published and eight unpublished trials (of which we were able to obtain data from one). Data on symptomatology were extracted from six trials that involved 274 participants. The summary effect size (Hedge's G) for overall symptomatology was small and not significant (-0.21, 95%CI -0.60-0.18). Trials were generally rated as having a high risk of bias. Safety reporting was inadequate across included trials. Conclusions: Our observed effect size contrasted with that reported in a previous meta-analysis; differences were likely explained by errors in data extraction. The findings of this review suggest that there is currently inadequate evidence to conclude that ACT is a safe and effective treatment against psychotic symptomatology. Systematic review registration: CRD42018097200

Efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression, pain acceptance, and psychological flexibility in married women with breast cancer: a pre- and post-test clinical trial

Abstract Objective: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Many of these patients suffer from multiple psychological symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depression, pain acceptance, and psychological flexibility in married women with breast cancer. Methods: The present study was a pre- and post-test clinical trial with intervention and control groups. The research population consisted of women with breast cancer referred to the Ayatollah Yasrebi and Shahid Beheshti Hospitals in Kashan in 2018. Through a purposive sampling method, 40 women were selected and randomly divided into two groups, namely, intervention (n = 20) and control (n = 20). The applied tools included the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire 8 (CPAQ-8), and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire - II (AAQ-II). Data were analyzed by SPSS 16 using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: The results showed that ACT treatment significantly reduced the mean scores of depression compared to the control group (F = 107.72, p < 0.001). The mean scores of pain acceptance (F = 9.58, p < 0.05) and psychological flexibility (F = 10.61, p < 0 .05) significantly increased in comparison with the control group. Conclusion: ACT can be considered as an effective therapeutic approach to reduce depression and increase pain acceptance and psychological flexibility in women with breast cancer. These changes appear to be due to improved acceptance of thoughts and feelings associated with cancer and increased psychological flexibility, which is the primary goal of ACT treatment. Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20190518043620N1.

Viabilidade da terapia de aceitação e compromisso para dependentes de drogas / Feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for drug addicts

A dependência de substâncias é uma das condições de saúde mais estigmatizadas no mundo, contribuindo para o seu agravamento, exclusão social e discriminação. Conscientes da percepção negativa da sociedade em relação à sua condição, essas pessoas podem internalizar o estigma, a partir de crenças, sentimentos e comportamentos negativos sobre si. Uma das intervenções com evidências iniciais positivas para reduzir o estigma internalizado é a Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT). Este estudo avaliou a viabilidade de uma intervenção baseada em ACT para reduzir o estigma internalizado entre dependentes de substâncias. Os participantes receberam o tratamento convencional do serviço, além da intervenção composta por seis sessões com periodicidade semanal, conduzidas por uma dupla de terapeutas previamente treinadas. Implementar estratégias para a redução do estigma internalizado pode contribuir para manter os benefícios obtidos ao longo do tempo, aumentando a adesão ao tratamento e a qualidade dos cuidados fornecidos.

Substance dependence is one of the most stigmatized health conditions in the world, contributing to its worsening, social exclusion and discrimination. Aware of society's negative perception of their condition, these people can internalize stigma from negative beliefs, feelings and behaviors about themselves. One of the interventions with positive initial evidence to reduce internalized stigma is the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This study evaluated the feasibility of an ACT-based intervention to reduce internalized stigma among substance addicts. The participants received the conventional treatment of the service, in addition to the intervention consisting of six weekly sessions, conducted by a pair of previously trained therapists. Implementing strategies to reduce internalized stigma can contribute to maintaining the benefits obtained over time, increasing adherence to treatment and the quality of care provided.

Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of acceptance commitment therapy for anxiety disorder / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To systematically evaluate the intervention effect of acceptance commitment therapy on anxiety disorder.Methods:The full-text databases of Web of Science Core Collection, MEDLINE, KCI-Korean Journal Database, SciELO Citation Index, SpringerLink, Pubmed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI Wanfang and Weipu were searched and randomized controlled studies related to acceptance commitment therapy for patients with anxiety disorder were collected.All randomized controlled studies met the criterion were included.Meanwhile, the literature quality of the included literatures was evaluated.The outcome indicators such as anxiety index, psychological flexibility and quality of life index were selected, and RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the literature data that met the inclusion criteria.Results:A total of 12 studies with 1 062 patients were included, including 513 cases in ACT group and 549 cases in control group.Meta analysis showed that ACT can effectively reduce anxiety level of patients with anxiety disorder (MD=-0.58, 95% CI: -0.85- -0.32, P<0.001), anxiety level in follow-up period (MD=-0.42, 95% CI: -0.75- -0.08, P=0.01), improving psychological flexibility (MD=0.46, 95% CI: 0.24~0.68, P<0.001); In the study of CBT(cognitive behavioral therapy) as the control group, there was no significant difference between ACT group and control group, among which after intervention (MD =-0.06, 95% CI: -0.47- 0.36, P=0.79), follow-up period (MD = 0.17, 95% CI: -0.07-0.41, P=0.16) .In the study with the control group as the blank control, ACT can reduce the anxiety level of patients with anxiety disorder (MD =-0.76, 95% CI: -0.97- -0.56, P<0.001), and the difference is statistically significant.Excluding the non-blank control study, ACT can reduce the anxiety level of patients with anxiety disorder (MD =-0.82, 95% CI: -1.09--0.55, P<0.001) in the studies where the proportion of women is greater than or equal to 70%.In the study of 50%-70% females, ACT can reduce the anxiety level of patients with anxiety disorder (MD =-0.68, 95% CI: -1.09 --0.28, P=0.01). All the differences were statistically significant.There was no significant difference between ACT and the control group for quality of life(MD=0.24, 95% CI: -0.01-0.49, P=0.06). Conclusion:ACT has a certain effect on patients with anxiety disorder, which not only improves the anxiety level of patients, but also keeps the effect of anxiety improvement during the follow-up period, and the improvement of psychological flexibility has also been verified.The immediate and long-term efficacy of ACT is similar to that of CBT, which further improve the reliability of ACT curative effect.Gender difference has not been confirmed for the therapeutic effect.ACT has no obvious improvement on the quality of life, and the conclusion of this study needs more randomized controlled studies with large samples and high quality to verify it.

The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for social anxiety disorder: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective Acceptance and commitment therapy has been used to treat anxiety disorders recently. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for psychological symptoms in students with social anxiety disorder, including difficulty in emotion regulation, psychological flexibility based on experiential avoidance, self-compassion, and external shame. Methods This study was a semi-experimental clinical trial. Twenty four students with social anxiety disorder were randomly divided into two groups after initial evaluations: an experimental group (12 subjects) and a control group (12 subjects). The experimental group received 12 treatment sessions based on a protocol of acceptance and commitment therapy for anxiety disorders, and the control group was put on a waiting list. Self-Compassion (SCS), Difficulty in Emotion Regulation (DERS), External Shame (ESS), Social Anxiety (SPIN), and Acceptance and Action (AAQ-II) questionnaires were used to assess participants. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Results Acceptance and commitment therapy was shown to be effective at the post-test and follow up stages for reducing external shame, social anxiety, and difficulty in emotion regulation and its components, and for increasing psychological flexibility and self-compassion (p < 0.05). The largest effect size of treatment was for increase of psychological flexibility and the lowest efficacy was for the components "difficulty in impulse control" and "limited access to emotional strategies" at the post-test and follow-up stages, respectively. Conclusion Acceptance and commitment therapy may be an appropriate psychological intervention for reducing the symptoms of students with social anxiety disorder and helping them to improve psychological flexibility. Emotion and related problems can be identified as one of the main targets of this treatment. Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials, IRCT20180421039369N1.

Effect of continued acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on post-traumatic growth of postoperative patients with breast cancer / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To evaluate the effects of continued acceptance and commitment therapy intervention on post-traumatic growth of postoperative patients with breast cancer.@*Methods@#According to the hospitalization time, 120 patients with breast cancer were divided into observation group (62 cases) and control group (58 cases). From January to December 2017, 58 patients were used as control group. Regular health education and discharge follow-up were performed. Intervention with the commitment therapy 3 times; 62 patients from January to December 2018 were selected as the observation group. On the basis of the control group, the patient continued to receive and commit the intervention for 3 to 4 times from February to March after discharge. The post-traumatic growth status of patients before, at the time of discharge (after the intervention), at the hospital for 2 months, at the hospital for 3 months, and at the hospital for 6 months was assessed using the Simplified Chinese version of the Post-Treatment Growth Rating Scale (PTGI).@*Results@#There was no significant difference in the post-traumatic growth scores between the two groups (P>0.05). The post-traumatic growth scores of the two groups were 67.02±14.17, 66.93±14.24, which were better than 51.72±11.65, 51.86±11.67 before the intervention (t= 7.634, 7.725, P<0.05). At 3 months and 6 months after discharge, the post-traumatic growth scores of the observation group were (67.12±14.07) and (68.21±14.48), which were significantly better than the control group (54.17±11.64). 54.02±11.12), the difference was statistically significant (t= 7.957, 7.674, P<0.01).@*Conclusion@#Acceptance and commitment therapy intervention during hospitalization can effectively improve post-traumatic growth of postoperative patients with breast cancer. Continued admission and commitment therapy intervention after discharge can provide patients with out-of-hospital continuous care programs to improve post-traumatic growth of postoperative patients with breast cancer. It has a better long-term effect than the control group.

Near and long-term effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on patients with type 2 diabetes / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective@#To observe the near-and long-term effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on psychological flexibility, self-efficacy, and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.@*Methods@#A total of 96 patients with type 2 diabetes admitted to Zhuzhou Central Hospital during the period from January to December 2017 were selected as subjects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the ACT group, 48 cases in each group. The control group was given regular health education, and the ACT group was given ACT-oriented health education. The psychological flexibility, self-efficacy and glycemic control of the two groups were compared before intervention, 7 weeks after intervention and 1 year after intervention.@*Results@#After 7 weeks of intervention, the psychological flexibility and self-efficacy scores of the ACT group was (21.47±4.89) and (8.96±1.70) respectively, the control group was (25.28±6.33) and (7.80±1.42) respectively. After 1 year of intervention, the psychological flexibility and self-efficacy scores of the ACT group was (23.87±5.03) and (8.09±1.38) respectively, and the control group was (27.19±5.48) and (6.97±1.24) respectively. The ACT group was significantly better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (t=-3.300-4.044, P<0.01). After 7 weeks of intervention, the effective rate of blood glucose control in the ACT group was 93.75% (45/48), and the control group was 75.00% (36/48). After 1 year of intervention, the effective rate of blood glucose control in the ACT group was 86.96% (40/46), and the control group was 65.91% (29/44). The ACT group was significantly higher than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (χ2=6.400, 5.569, P<0.05).@*Conclusions@#The application of health education activities based on ACT is significant in patients with type 2 diabetes, can significantly improve the patient's near-term psychological flexibility and self-efficacy, conducive to better long-term blood sugar management.

Feasibility of acceptance and commitment therapy for post-bariatric surgery patients: the FAB study protocol

Background:Bariatric surgery is an effective treatment for obesity. However, around one in five people experience significant weight regain. In the months following surgery, loss of food as a hedonic reward, increased sensitivity to food-related cues, alcohol use and depression may translate into new obesogenic behaviours which can be targeted in therapy. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) teaches acceptance of and defusion from thoughts and feelings which influence behaviour,and commitment to act in line with personal values. We will test whether people who have had bariatric surgery over one year ago find 10 weeks of ACT group therapy an acceptable treatment and whether a larger trial to test whether ACT can improve long-term post-operative outcomes would be feasible.Methods:This will be a feasibility randomised controlled trial (RCT) with participants randomised to either ACT or a Usual Care Support Group control. Participants will be recruited at 15-18 months post-surgery and compared at baseline, 3, 6 and 12 months. The trial will provide information about recruitment and characteristics of the proposed outcome measures to inform a definitive RCT.Conclusions: Trials big enough to determine whether a treatment approach works are costly, so this small study will help determine whether the methods used, such as how people are recruited, allocated to groups, and how data are collected, are likely to work on a bigger scale. This project is the first step in testing whether ACT can help people who have had bariatric surgery.Trial Registration:Researchregistry.com, UIN: 3959 (date registered: 10 April 2018); ISRCTN registry ID: ISRCTN52074801

Grupo de Apoio Psicológico a Mulheres em Situação de Infertilidade / Psychological Support Group for Women in Situation of Infertility / Grupo de Apoyo Psicológico a Mujeres en Situación de Infertilidad

Este trabalho teve como objetivo descrever um relato de experiência a partir de um Programa de Intervenção com mulheres em situação de infertilidade. Tal Programa faz parte do Projeto de Extensão da UEL/PR, na área da Psicologia, com fundamento na Análise do Comportamento. Foram realizados dois grupos, compostos por sete mulheres cada, de Londrina e região, entre 31 e 42 anos, em situação de infertilidade conjugal. Realizou-se 10 sessões, de aproximadamente duas horas cada, semanalmente. Após dois meses do término, realizou-se sessões de followup. Os procedimentos utilizados foram técnicas de dinâmica de grupo, técnicas da Análise do Comportamento, como modelagem e modelação, Terapia de Aceitação e Compromisso (ACT) e Psicoterapia Analítica funcional (FAP). Realizou-se avaliações qualitativas por meio de dados obtidos com os relatos das participantes. A partir da fala das participantes, puderam ser percebidas mudanças em seus comportamentos, tanto dentro das sessões quanto em seu ambiente natural, de acordo com seus relatos verbais. A intervenção grupal tem o potencial de promover a aprendizagem de um repertório de enfrentamento das dificuldades relacionadas à infertilidade, o fortalecimento de aspectos positivos no relacionamento conjugal e social, além da aceitação emocional e seu manejo. Durante as sessões de follow-up, quatro participantes relataram estar dando início ao processo de adoção e, cinco participantes conseguiram atingir a gravidez. Sugere-se a replicação deste Programa com este tipo de população, bem como estudos com controle de variáveis....(AU)

This study aimed to report a clinical intervention, based on the principles of Behavior Analysis, in two groups of women in infertility situation. This program is part of the Extension Project of UEL/PR, in the field of Psychology, based on Behavior Analysis. Each group assisted seven women, between 31 and 42 years, in situation of conjugal infertility. Eleven sessions were held, approximately two hours each, once a week. After two months of the end of the groups, follow-up sessions were realized to monitor the changes observed. The procedures were group dynamics, problem solving and decision making techniques, Social Skills Training, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). To this end, it was sought to do Functional Analysis of the behaviors of each participant. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation, from data obtained with the session reports was realized. The group intervention led to the learning of a behavioral repertoire of coping with the difficulties related to infertility, the strengthening of positive aspects in the marital and social relationship, besides the emotional acceptance and its handling. During and after the follow-up sessions, four participants reported being starting the process of adoption and five participants were able to achieve pregnancy. It is suggested that further studies with wider control variables should be conducted to test the effectiveness of the procedures used....(AU)

El objetivo de este trabajo fue describir un relato de experiencia proveniente del programa de intervención con mujeres en situación de infertilidad. El programa forma parte de un Proyecto de Extensión, de la Universidad Estatal de Londrina (UEL), Provincia de Paraná, en el área de la Psicología, con base en el Análisis del Comportamiento. Se formaron dos grupos con siete mujeres, entre 31 y 42 años, en situación de infertilidad. Se llevaron a cabo 10 sesiones de aproximadamente dos horas semanales. Dos meses después del término, se realizaron sesiones de follow-up. Los procedimientos utilizados fueron técnicas de dinámica de grupo, técnicas de Análisis de Comportamiento tales como el modelado y modelado, Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT) y Psicoterapia Analítica Funcional (FAP). Se realizaron evaluaciones cualitativas por medio de datos obtenidos con los relatos de las participantes. A partir del habla de las participantes, se pudieron percibir cambios en sus comportamientos, tanto dentro de las sesiones y en su ambiente natural, de acuerdo con sus relatos verbales. La intervención grupal tiene el potencial de promover el aprendizaje de un repertorio de enfrentamiento de las dificultades relacionadas a la infertilidad, el fortalecimiento de aspectos positivos en la relación conyugal y social, además de la aceptación emocional y su manejo. Durante las sesiones de follow up, cuatro participantes relataron que estaban dando inicio al proceso de adopción y cinco participantes lograron el embarazo. Se sugiere la replicación de este Programa con este tipo de población, así como estudios con control de variables....(AU)