Acceptance and Commitment Therapy modules: Differential impact on treatment processes and outcomes

Abstract

A modular, transdiagnostic approach to treatment design and implementation may increase the public health impact of evidence-based psychosocial interventions. Such an approach relies on algorithms for selecting and implementing treatment components intended to have a specific therapeutic effect, yet there is little evidence for how components function independent of their treatment packages when employed in clinical service settings. This study aimed to demonstrate the specificity of treatment effects for two components of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a promising candidate for modularization. A randomized, nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline across participants design was used to examine component effects on treatment processes and outcomes in 15 adults seeking mental health treatment. The ACT OPEN module targeted acceptance and cognitive defusion; the ACT ENGAGED module targeted values-based activation and persistence. According to Tau- U analyses, both modules produced significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms, quality of life, and targeted therapeutic processes. ACT ENGAGED demonstrated greater improvements in quality of life and values-based activation. ACT OPEN showed greater improvements in symptom severity, acceptance, and defusion. Both modules improved awareness and non-reactivity, which were mutually targeted, though using distinct intervention procedures. Both interventions demonstrated high treatment acceptability, completion, and patient satisfaction. Treatment effects were maintained at 3-month follow up. ACT components should be considered for inclusion in a modular approach to implementing evidence-based psychosocial interventions for adults.

Acceptance and commitment therapy for psychosis and trauma: Improvement in psychiatric symptoms, emotion regulation, and treatment compliance following a brief group intervention

“…ACT was also found to increase the help‐seeking domain of service engagement, thereby potentially contributing to patients' overall adherence to mental health care. These findings are consistent with the overall goals of ACT to be more psychologically flexible and therefore more resistant to distress and more accepting of emotional experiences (Villatte et al ., ).…”

Patients’ experiences of their everyday life 14 months after cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy – a qualitative follow‐up study

“…The findings in this study also highlight the urgent need to use nursing and caring measures directed towards individually tailored support. This might include, for example, using ACT modules aiming to overcome patients’ negative feelings about their illness, which were not allowing the patients to reach satisfaction and happiness. ACT also helps the patients regain balance in their lives by positive thinking and actions.…”

“…Not many patients sought professional counselling or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The latter is a form of cognitive behavioural therapy that focuses on improving quality of life by actively working to overcome negative thoughts and emotions associated with the illness, since those negative feelings increase the suffering and reduce the possibility of future satisfaction and happiness . In our earlier studies , where patients with PC participated in interviews, we saw that they tried to solve their problems by themselves or with the help of their family members.…”

A feasible and acceptable multicultural psychosocial intervention targeting symptom management in the context of advanced breast cancer

“…19 Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one framework that encompasses mindfulness to increase psychological acceptance of uncomfortable experiences that cannot be completely changed or removed (eg, pain that may worsen over time with advanced disease), while also promoting engagement in meaningful activities directed by personally chosen values across life domains such as family relationships, work, health, and so on. Based on our past work [23][24][25] , we developed a four-session protocol integrating CBT symptom management, mindfulness, and engagement in personal value-directed activity strategies to improve symptom management in women with advanced breast cancer in cross-cultural settings. 20 ACT protocol that addresses the multiple symptom burden and end-of-life challenges (ie, CBT-MV) faced by women with advanced breast cancer.…”

“…The goal of this program of research is to develop an evidencedbased, cross-cultural combined CBT and ACT protocol that addresses the multiple symptom burden and end-of-life challenges (ie, CBT-MV) faced by women with advanced breast cancer. Based on our past work [23][24][25] , we developed a four-session protocol integrating CBT symptom management, mindfulness, and engagement in personal value-directed activity strategies to improve symptom management in women with advanced breast cancer in cross-cultural settings. A pilot randomized controlled trial conducted in the United States and Singapore examined CBT-MV, which we believe would be culturally relevant in Western and Eastern cultures.…”