The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in Patients with Spinal Cord Injuries

Abstract

Background: Since the number of patients with spinal cord injuries is increasing, paying attention to these patients' psychological problems is a priority. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with spinal cord injuries. Methods: The present study had utilized a single-subject approach in the form of multiple baseline design. The samples were selected using purposive sampling based on convenience sampling method. The statistical population included all patients in Hamadan city with spinal cord injuries who referred to the Shahid Beheshti hospital in this city. The total numbers of them were 181 people in 2016. The researchers informed the patients about the research and presented them with informed consent forms. Among 50 screened patients, five patients (4 males and one female) selected and entered the treatment process: anxiety, depression, and stress measured by Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Acceptance and commitment therapy conducted in 8 treatment sessions on anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with spinal cord injuries. Results: The results of the graphic and chart analysis, reliable change index (RCI) and the percentage of recovery showed that acceptance and commitment therapy affected anxiety, depression, and stress in the patients with spinal cord injuries. Conclusion: Findings indicated that acceptance and commitment therapy improved people's mental health by working on acceptance and mindfulness processes and behavior change processes. This therapy decreased anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with spinal cord lesion.

Experiences of spinal cord injury patients admitted to the rehabilitation unit at the national referral hospital in Khomas region, Namibia

“…The findings of this study support those of Hatefi et al ( 2019 ), who found that emotional stress for people who have experienced injuries is common. These findings are also supported by Torabian, Sabet and Meschi ( 2019 ), who observed that patients who have sustained an SCI often become emotionally weak and have traumatic depression, leading to suicidal thoughts if not managed properly in the rehabilitation process.…”

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment-Based Therapy on the Immune Function and Activity Limitations in Patients With Irritable Bowel Syndrome

“…The patients learn that avoidance may relieve a person of stress in the short term but worsens the problem in the long run and has a more negative impact, which is one of the primary mechanisms to improve the quality of life of these people [10]. Also, in the present study, components such as awareness of thoughts, behavior, emotions, and feelings were addressed, which play an essential role in dealing with and interpreting situations and problems [26]. ACT characteristics, such as being aware of thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and feelings, warn people against performing automatic behaviors and reactions and paying too much attention to internal experiences.…”

The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Depression, Alexithymia and Hypertension in Patients with Coronary Heart Disease

“…The purpose of acceptance is for the individual to accept all the inner experiences offered, that is, thoughts, feelings, memories, and bodily feelings without the need to defend against them. 14,22 This study had some limitations. The first was the small sample size.…”