Community-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Programmes for rheumatic conditions: An acceptability and...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Rheumatology
• Community Health

Background:

• Community-based psychosocial programs for rheumatic conditions are underutilized.
• These programs address barriers like limited access to interventions, patient preference for external care, and social isolation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To qualitatively evaluate a community-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention for individuals with rheumatic conditions.
• To assess the acceptability and understand participants' conceptualization of ACT's change processes.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative process evaluation was conducted.
• 12 semi-structured interviews were held post-intervention.
• Reflexive thematic analysis was employed.

Main Results:

• Four themes emerged: finding peace with mindfulness despite difficulties, making values-consistent choices, ambivalent pain relationships, and the dual group experience (comforting/awkward).
• Practical considerations for planning and delivering ACT groups were identified.

Conclusions:

• Programme duration is critical for ACT groups in community settings for rheumatic conditions.
• Acceptance and mindfulness are context-sensitive, influenced by fluctuating symptoms.
• Mindfulness development should be gradual, starting with body awareness.
• Pain acceptance should prioritize activity engagement over symptom acceptance.