Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain: a quasiexperimental study

Abstract

Objective Chronic pain is an important health problem and affects both quality of life and mental health. This study assessed psychological inflexibility, pain intensity, quality of life, anxiety and depression symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support among patients with chronic pain. Method A quasiexperimental design was used to assess six adult participants pre- and post-group intervention (eight sessions) based on acceptance and commitment therapy. Results After the intervention, the patients experienced a reduction in psychological inflexibility, pain, and depression and anxiety symptoms and improvements in quality of life and self-efficacy. The quality of life and depression symptoms and the domains of quality of life and psychological inflexibility were negatively correlated. Conclusion Acceptance and commitment therapy is a promising treatment for the interdisciplinary treatment of the Pain Clinic.