Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain conditions on functioning: A systematic review protocol

Abstract

Aim To explore the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on chronic pain in terms of functioning; and to identify the most promising modes and patterns for implementing ACT. Design Systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods We will include randomized controlled trials which focus on the efficacy of ACT on chronic pain conditions with functioning as the primary outcome. Seven databases have been searched and grey literature will also be systematically searched for. Eligible studies will be screened. The newly revised Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the included studies. Data will be extracted, and meta‐analyses will be performed within specific condition groups of chronic pain. Meta‐regression and subgroup analyses will be employed to identify the efficacious modes and patterns for implementing the therapy. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach will be applied to reach a convincing conclusion. The study has been funded since July 2018. Discussion This systematic review aims to explore the efficacy of ACT for chronic pain on functioning based on the latest evidence. The most promising manners will be identified for designing and delivering the therapy. An accurate, transparent, and standardized review process is expected by adhering to the instructions of relevant guidelines. Impact Chronic pain is prevalent worldwide and reduced functioning is one of the leading consequences. With the anticipated evidence of high level, this research attempts to examine the role of acceptance and commitment therapy, a promising psychological intervention, in the management of chronic pain for improving individual's functioning status. The systematic review may contribute to a more convincing and targeted conclusion compared with the existing studies of its kind.

Predicting the Perception of Dental Pain Based on Pain Anxiety, Dental Anxiety and Mental Pain in an Iranian Sample: Emphasizing the Type of Patient Complaint

“…In other words, all the aspects of their life will be influenced by pain regardless of the other personality traits. In this situation, psychological interventions such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy help people make difference between their whole selves and their pain and do not consider the pain as their total existence (39,41).…”

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people with advanced cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Otherwise, a random‐effects model was adopted to pool data, and subgroup analysis was performed to determine potential sources of heterogeneity. Based on relevant reviews (Du et al, 2021a; Li, Wu, et al, 2021) and characteristics of the included studies, we tabulated possible factors for subgrouping, such as different cultural contexts and intervention delivery formats. Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing studies unavailable in English to check whether the pooled results still hold.…”

“…Non-pharmacological interventions have been recommended for symptom management in people with advanced cancer (Malakian et al, 2022). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a novel form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), has gained popularity worldwide in healthcare research and practice (Du et al, 2021a).…”

“…Non‐pharmacological interventions have been recommended for symptom management in people with advanced cancer (Malakian et al, 2022). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, a novel form of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), has gained popularity worldwide in healthcare research and practice (Du et al, 2021a). Recent studies have touted it as a promising intervention to address the psychological symptoms of people with advanced cancer (Pan et al, 2020; Rost et al, 2012).…”

Effect of a group‐based acceptance and commitment therapy programme on the mental health of clinical nurses during the COVID‐19 sporadic outbreak period

“…Numerous evidence from systematic reviews have reported the positive effects of the ACT for depression, anxiety and subjective well-being through improving psychological flexibility among clinical and non-clinical people (Gloster et al, 2020;Stenhoff et al, 2020). Compared with alternative methods, the ACT had supporting findings on the effectiveness on patients' problems, such as depression, anxiety, chronic pain and cancer adaptation (Du et al, 2021;Mathew et al, 2021;Twohig & Levin, 2017). Meanwhile, the ACT showed positive effects in healthcare professionals working with dementia by reducing anxiety and burnout (Montaner et al, 2021) and could reduce perceived stress and improve psychological flexibility of nurses working in psychiatric wards (Zarvijani et al, 2021).…”