The effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on anxiety in multiple sclerosis

acceptance and commitment therapy is a third generation behavioral therapy that uses mindfulness skills, acceptance and cognitive defusion in order to achieve psychological flexibility. The main purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on anxiety in patients with Multiple Sclerosis( MS).
This research was carried out based on questionnaire survey and Beck Anxiety Inventory. The method of the experimental design of pretest - posttest control group design was used. The respondents of the survey were chosen from members of MS community of Tehran and randomly classified in two experimental/control groups. In pre-test the severity of anxiety was assessed by Beck Anxiety Inventory. The experimental group received 8 , one and half hour-sessions of ACT twice a week for a month but the control group did not receive any intervention. Again in post-test and 3 month follow up BAI was conducted.
The findings of this study showed significant differences between control and experimental groups. Acceptance and commitment therapy has a significant effect on reducing anxiety in multiple sclerosis.
It can be concluded that acceptance and commitment therapy is effective in reducing anxiety in patients with multiple sclerosis.