What is the evidence for the efficacy of self-help acceptance and commitment therapy? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Randomized controlled trial of a web‐based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program to promote mental health in university students

“…ACT (Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, ) is an empirically supported transdiagnostic approach which fosters mental health skills through the development of psychological flexibility (Biglan, Hayes, & Pistorello, ). Numerous reviews and meta‐analyses indicate that ACT is effective in improving mental health and well‐being in clinical and nonclinical populations (A‐Tjak et al, ; French, Golijani‐Moghaddam, & Schröder, ; Ruiz, ). According to the ACT framework, psychological flexibility is enhanced through six core processes (acceptance, cognitive defusion, present moment awareness, flexible perspective taking, values, and committed action), which constitute important skills for enhancing mental health (Hayes et al, ).…”

“…According to the ACT framework, psychological flexibility is enhanced through six core processes (acceptance, cognitive defusion, present moment awareness, flexible perspective taking, values, and committed action), which constitute important skills for enhancing mental health (Hayes et al, ). A recent meta‐analysis showed that ACT delivered in self‐help formats, such as web‐based interventions, had beneficial effects on depression, anxiety, and psychological flexibility, especially when accompanied by clinician guidance (French et al, ). However, this analysis also stated that effect sizes were small and methodology and reporting bias may inflate effect sizes (French et al, ).…”

“…A recent meta‐analysis showed that ACT delivered in self‐help formats, such as web‐based interventions, had beneficial effects on depression, anxiety, and psychological flexibility, especially when accompanied by clinician guidance (French et al, ). However, this analysis also stated that effect sizes were small and methodology and reporting bias may inflate effect sizes (French et al, ). In addition, web‐based ACT interventions with varied levels of practitioner involvement for students have shown improvements in many areas including education values, depression, social anxiety, academic concern, well‐being, values obstruction, mindful acceptance, life satisfaction, and academic performance (Chase et al, ; Levin, Haeger, Pierce, & Twohig, ; Levin, Pistorello, Seeley, & Hayes, ; Rasanen, Lappalainen, Muotka, Tolvanen, & Lappalainen, ).…”

The effectiveness and acceptability of a guided self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures

“…Self-help interventions may help to address some of these issues: such interventions can be undertaken alone, in a safe and familiar setting, at one's own pace, and without the need for broader acceptance or discussion of the diagnosis with others. There is growing support for the use of ACT delivered in a self-help format, with a recent systematic review reporting beneficial outcomes for anxiety and depression, with greater effect sizes reported for self-help interventions that incorporated an element of clinical guidance [48] (such as weekly check-in phone calls).…”

A randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an acceptance and commitment therapy–based bibliotherapy intervention among adults living with chronic pain

“…[10][11][12] A growing number of studies support the use of ACT-based, selfhelp approaches for various behavioral, psychological, and physical issues, including CP. A meta-analysis and systematic review by French et al, 13 including 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and totaling 2580 participants, showed small but significant effect sizes on anxiety, depression, and psychological flexibility; however, studies related to self-help interventions based on ACT in the management of CP among adults remain limited.…”