In Conversation… Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Educational Psychologist ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

In conversation with Dr Duncan Gillard, Senior Educational Psychologist and an experienced ACT practitioner, trainer and author. Duncan is the co-author of the popular self-help book Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Dummies.

scholarly journals A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Guided Self-Help for Overweight and Obese Adults High in Weight Self-Stigma

2020 ◽  
pp. 014544552097511
Author(s):  
Sarah Potts ◽  
Jennifer Krafft ◽  
Michael E. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Obese Adults ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Weight self-stigma, in which individuals internalize stigmatizing messages about weight, is a prevalent problem that contributes to poor quality of life and health. This pilot randomized controlled trial evaluated acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) guided self-help using The Diet Trap for 55 overweight/obese adults high in weight self-stigma. Participants were randomized to the ACT self-help book plus phone coaching (GSH-P; n = 17), self-help book plus email prompts only (GSH-E; n = 20), or a waitlist condition ( n = 18), with online self-report assessments at baseline and posttreatment (8 weeks later). Participants reported high satisfaction ratings and engagement with the ACT self-help book, with no differences between GSH-P and GSH-E. Both GSH-P and GSH-E improved weight self-stigma relative to waitlist with large effect sizes. There were mixed findings for health outcomes. The GSH-P condition improved more on healthy eating behaviors and general physical activity, but neither ACT condition improved more than waitlist on self-reported body mass index, emotional eating, and a second measure of physical activity. Results suggest an ACT self-help book with email prompts can reduce weight self-stigma and potentially improve some health behavior outcomes. Phone coaching may provide additional benefits for generalizing ACT to diet and physical activity.

scholarly journals Patients’ experiences of internet-based Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a qualitative study

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nina Bendelin ◽  
Pär Björkdahl ◽  
Mimmi Risell ◽  
Karin Zetterqvist Nelson ◽  
Björn Gerdle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Exploratory Approach ◽  
Chronic Pain Patients ◽  
Pain Patients

Abstract Background Chronic pain is a globally widespread condition with complex clusters of symptoms within a heterogeneous patient group. Internet-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (IACT) has shown promising results in the treatment of chronic pain. How IACT is experienced by patients is less well known. Qualitative studies of patients’ experiences are needed to further understand factors behind both engagement and negative effects. The aim of this study was to explore how IACT was experienced by chronic pain patients who had participated in a controlled trial. Methods Through an open and exploratory approach this study aimed to investigate how IACT was experienced when delivered as a guided self-help program to persons with chronic pain. Eleven participants were interviewed over telephone after completing IACT. Results Qualitative analysis based on grounded theory resulted in 2 core categories and 8 subcategories. In treatment: Physical and cognitive restraints, Time and deadline, Therapist contact, and Self-confrontation. After treatment: Attitude to pain, Image of pain, Control or Command, and Acting with pain. Individual differences as well as specific conditions of the treatment may explain variations in how the treatment was approached, experienced and what consequences it led to. Therapist guidance and deadlines for homework play complex roles in relation to autonomy and change. Conclusions Adjusting treatment content and format based on participants’ characteristics, such as expectations, motivation and restraints, might positively affect engagement, autonomy and change. Further research on attrition and negative effects of treatment might clarify what enables chronic pain patients to benefit from IACT. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01603797). Registered 22 May 2012. Retrospectively registered.

scholarly journals A pilot case series of a brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based guided self-help intervention for improving quality of life and mood in muscle disorders

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Graham ◽  
Trudie Chalder ◽  
Michael R. Rose ◽  
Dimitri Gavriloff ◽  
Lance M. McCracken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Secondary Outcome ◽  
Muscle Disorders ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

AbstractThis study aimed to demonstrate proof of concept and acceptability of a brief acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based guided self-help intervention for improving quality of life (QoL) and mood for people with muscle disorders (MD). A case-series with an AB design was used to assess changes in primary (QoL) and secondary (depression and anxiety) outcome variables across the period of study. Change in the psychological process targeted by ACT – psychological flexibility – was also investigated, to allow insight into possible treatment mechanisms. Post-intervention, participants also completed a brief free-text evaluation. Relative to pre-intervention scores, four (of seven) participants showed varying degrees of improvement in all primary and secondary outcome variables and were thus considered responders. However, consistent concomitant improvements in psychological flexibility were not apparent. Participants reported a mostly positive experience of the intervention; all appeared to complete the intervention, and no adverse events were reported. Nonetheless, there was evidence that those with compromised concentration or who report good initial QoL and low levels of distress may derive less benefit. Although several methodological weaknesses limit the strength of our conclusions, this ACT-based guided self-help intervention shows encouraging utility for improving QoL and mood in MD.

An acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for carers of patients in palliative care: Protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther L Davis ◽  
Frank P Deane ◽  
Geoffrey CB Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Palliative Care ◽  
Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Randomised Controlled

Undertaking a caregiving role at end of life can have enduring psychological consequences for carers, including poor adjustment in bereavement. Acceptance and commitment therapy–based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in helping people cope with a range of life challenges. This article presents the protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial of an acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for psychological distress and grief in carers of patients in palliative care. We will assess feasibility and acceptability of the trial procedures and intervention as well as preliminary effectiveness of the intervention on carer well-being outcomes.

Examining the Feasibility of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Self-Help for Problematic Pornography Viewing

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 306-312
Author(s):  
Michael E. Levin ◽  
Scott T. Heninger ◽  
Benjamin G. Pierce ◽  
Michael P. Twohig
Keyword(s):  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Intervention Period ◽  
Cognitive Fusion ◽  
Psychological Inflexibility ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Trial Participants

This pilot study evaluated the feasibility of an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) self-help program for problematic pornography viewing (PV). A sample of 19 adults seeking help for problematic PV was recruited in an open trial. Participants reported adequate program acceptability, although only 45% of those completing postassessment read at least half of the self-help book. Significant improvements on problematic PV and cognitive fusion were found over the 8-week intervention period, with effects sustaining at 8-week follow-up. Participants who read more improved more on PV problems and psychological inflexibility. Overall, an ACT self-help approach appears feasible and potentially efficacious for PV.

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