Acceptance and commitment therapy for chronic pain conditions on functioning: A systematic review protocol.

Area of Science:

• Psychological Interventions
• Pain Management
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Chronic pain affects millions globally, significantly impairing daily functioning.
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychological intervention showing promise for managing chronic pain.
• Current evidence on ACT's efficacy for improving functioning in chronic pain requires systematic synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the efficacy of ACT in improving functioning for individuals with chronic pain.
• To identify optimal implementation modes and patterns of ACT for chronic pain management.
• To provide evidence-based recommendations for clinical practice and future research.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
• Comprehensive search of seven databases and grey literature, with rigorous screening and quality assessment using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
• Meta-regression and subgroup analyses to explore factors influencing ACT efficacy; Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) for conclusion strength.

Main Results:

• Anticipated high-level evidence on ACT's effectiveness for enhancing functioning in chronic pain populations.
• Identification of specific therapeutic modalities and delivery methods associated with superior outcomes.
• Quantification of ACT's impact on various functioning domains in chronic pain.

Conclusions:

• ACT is a viable and potentially effective intervention for improving functioning in individuals with chronic pain.
• Evidence-based guidelines for implementing ACT in chronic pain settings can be developed.
• This review will offer a more targeted and convincing conclusion than existing literature, informing clinical decision-making.