An Overview of Reviews on the Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

Objective: Emotional disturbances are the most common mental health problems in different populations and societies. We intend to provide the latest evidence related to the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on depression and anxiety by reviewing systematic review and meta-analysis studies published in the last three years.
 Method: PubMed and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched between January 1, 2019 and November 25, 2022 with relevant keywords for English systematic review and meta-analysis articles reviewing the utilization of ACT to reduce anxiety and depression symptoms.
 Results: 25 articles were included in our study: 14 systematic review and meta-analysis studies and 11 systematic reviews. These studies have investigated the effects of ACT on depression and anxiety in populations of children or adults, mental health patients, patients with different cancers or multiple sclerosis, people with audiological problems, parents or caregivers of children with mental or physical illnesses as well as normal people. Furthermore, they have examined the effects of ACT in individual, group, Internet, computerized, or combined delivery formats. Most of the reviewed studies reported significant effect sizes (small to large effect sizes) of ACT, regardless of the delivery method, compared to passive (placebo, waitlist) and active (treatment as usual and other psychological interventions except cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)) controls for depression and anxiety.
 Conclusion: Recent literature mainly agrees on the small to moderate effect sizes of ACT on depression and anxiety symptoms in different populations.

Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Emotion Regulation in Adolescent Patients with Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

“…As an important branch of cognitive behavioral therapy, ACT does not eliminate or change individuals’ negative thoughts or emotions but rather encourages individuals to accept the negative thoughts or emotions, and guides them to establish the correct values. 27 …”

The effect of an online acceptance and commitment intervention on the meaning-making process in cancer patients following hematopoietic cell transplantation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial enhanced with single-case experimental design

“…ACT has been proven to be an effective intervention for various conditions [ 22 ], with the growing number of randomized controlled trials [ 23 ] and mediational studies showing that psychological flexibility is a mediator of the intervention [ 24 ]. Several systematic reviews and metanalyses provide evidence for ACT effectiveness in improving the quality of life and decreasing psychological distress among cancer patients [ 25 – 29 ].…”

Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in Children and Adolescents Psychotherapy: An Umbrella Review

“…This flexibility is the capacity to connect with the present moment, internal thoughts, and emotions without defensiveness, while persisting in striving for goals and values through intentional actions. The development of psychological flexibility within ACT revolves around six interconnected processes: cognitive defusion, acceptance, committed action, values, contact with the present moment, and self-as-context ( 5 , 6 ). Cognitive defusion involves creating a distance from thoughts and emotions to prevent them from dictating behaviors.…”