Better living with illness: A transdiagnostic acceptance and commitment therapy group intervention for chronic physical illness

Abstract

Background: Long term conditions are on the rise and are associated with increased risk of psychological problems. Commonalities across long term conditions suggests a transdiagnostic psychological intervention may be beneficial. An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention was evaluated for people with long term physical health conditions. Methods: Participants with long term physical health conditions were invited to an ACT group (n=53). Measures were completed at assessment, pre, post and 3-month follow-up. These assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, health perceptions, values-based living and psychological flexibility. Period from assessment to pre intervention served as a withinparticipant control. Results: Depression and anxiety symptoms reduced significantly from pre to post, compared to control period. Significant improvements were found in values-based living and psychological flexibility. These changes were in the context of non-significant changes in health perceptions. Conclusions: Group-based ACT interventions may be beneficial for long term physical conditions and can be delivered transdiagnostically.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Improves Psychological Flexibility of Students with Thalassemia Major: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Moreover, the results of this study show the durability of the ACT method in increasing the psychological flexibility of the patients with thalassemia in the follow-up phase. This finding agrees with the studies that have reported the efficacy of ACT in improving psychological problems of different disorders even after one or two years (Brassington et al, 2016;Lappalainen et al, 2014;McCracken & Gutiérrez-Martínez, 2011;Sianturi et al, 2018). It can be said that patients learn to take an active stand in the world and make their lives based on ACT strategies (Flaxman et al, 2010).…”

“…Besides, there are more examples of the studies on ACT use as an effective method to deal with psychological complications of a variety of diseases for instance anxiety in patients with stroke (Sianturi, Keliat, & Wardani, 2018) or other chronic physical illnesses (Brassington et al, 2016). However, to the best of our knowledge, no research has ever tried to evaluate the efficacy of ACT method to improve psychological problems in patients with thalassemia.…”

Exercise combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ExACT) compared to a supervised exercise programme for adults with chronic pain: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

“…Group discussions, experiential exercises and mindfulness practice (see Table 1 ) will be led by a psychologist who has been trained in ACT and is experienced in treating chronic pain. The content of the sessions will be adapted from an ACT treatment manual used in a recently published study [ 29 ] and available to members of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS) from the website http://www.contextualscience.org/better_living_with_illness . Written supplementary material will be provided each week and participants will be encouraged to spend time reviewing the material at home.…”

Engaging patients with “medically unexplained symptoms” in psychological therapy: An integrative and transdiagnostic approach

“…Brassington et al . () found that ACT can promote adjustment and improve quality of life for people struggling with physical symptoms. In addition to ‘broad‐spectrum’ CBT evidence, there is also some evidence for brief psychodynamic approaches.…”