J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2019 Sep;28(3):271-285. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2019.28.3.271.

Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

• Kang HS
• Hwang SD
• Jun SE

• KMID: 2459090
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2019.28.3.271

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain patients.
METHODS
Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, we searched the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, OVID, PubMed and Korean databases to identify randomized controlled trials published through May 2019. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using the R program, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane's Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies.
RESULTS
A total of 11 studies were included in this study. Studies were heterogeneous, and random effects models were used in the analyses. ACT was effective for improving pain (g=−0.40, 95%CI:−0.69~−1.12, p<.001, I2=80%), pain acceptance (g=1.24, 95% CI:0.41~2.05, p<.001, I²=95%), anxiety (g=−0.47, 95% CI:−0.81~−0.13, p<.001, I²=84%), depression (g=−0.52, 95% CI:−0.85~−0.19, p<.001, I²=85%), and quality of life (g=1.14, 95% CI:0.11~2.17, p<.001, I²=95%).
CONCLUSION
Our study findings of the ACT seems to be effective for improving pain, pain acceptance, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, ACT may be useful for reducing barriers to therapy, and various studies should be attempted.

Keyword

Acceptance and commitment therapy; Chronic pain; Effectiveness; Systematic review; Meta-analysis

MeSH Terms

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy*
Anxiety
Bias (Epidemiology)
Chronic Pain*
Depression
Humans
Quality of Life

Figure

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  Figure 1. Flow diagram for study selection process.

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  Figure 2. Risk of bias in included studies.

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  Figure 3. Forest plot of metaanalysis on effects of ACT.

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