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The effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on the psychological and physical outcomes among cancer patients: A
Chunxiao Zhao1, Lizu Lai1, Lin Zhang1
1Key Laboratory of Adolescent Cyberpsychology and Behavior, Ministry of Education, Wuhan 430079, China; School of Psychology, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; Key Laboratory of Human Development and Mental Health of Hubei Province, Wuhan 430079, China.
Objective:
The current study used meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis to estimate the effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on the psychological and physical distress of cancer patients, and to identify potential moderators in this body of research.
Methods:
A search of multiple databases in February 2020 identified 25 independent trials (17 randomized controlled trials, 8 non-randomized controlled trials; 2256 participants) on the effects of ACT among cancer patients. Trial sequential analysis (TSA) was used to determine whether the available evidence is sufficient to draw strong conclusions.
Results:
ACT significantly reduced cancer patients' psychological distress (g = 0.88), and improved psychological flexibility (g = 0.58), quality of life (g = 1.19), and sense of hope (g = 2.17). TSA showed that there was sufficient evidence to obtain stable estimates of the effect of ACT on psychological distress and quality of life. Effect sizes for psychological distress were larger in studies conducted in eastern countries, in younger samples, and when therapy was of longer duration.
Conclusion:
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can effectively improve the mental health of cancer patients, and can be applied to clinical practice as an effective psychological intervention. Researchers are encouraged to take into account stage and trajectory of cancer in future studies.
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