Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Anxiety Sensitivity, and Quality of Life in Patients with Hypertension Having Avoidance Personality Trait

Aim and Background: The objective of the present study was investigating the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on anxiety sensitivity and quality of life in patients with hypertension who suffer from avoidance personality traits. Methods and Materials: This research was a case study. The statistical population included all patients with primary hypertension who referred to healthcare centers of Isfahan, Iran, in 2016, and their arterial blood pressure was greater than 140/90 mmHg and their disease was confirmed by the physician. They had no history of heart disease and renal failure and according to the psychiatrist, based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5th Edition (DSM-5) and screening with Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) on A2 scale, avoidance personality trait was detected in them. Out of them, three patients were selected through targeted sampling. Two sessions were spent on the interview and baseline explaining, and then intervention for ACT treatment was performed in 8 sessions based on Hayes et al. model, which was done individually for 100 minutes, followed by a follow-up phase. The tools used in this study included Anxiety Sensitivity Index-Revised (ASI-R) and Quality of Life Questionnaire [36-item short-form health survey (SF-36)]. The indexes of process changes, effect size, and Cohen's coefficient were presented. Findings: ACT method reduced anxiety sensivity and increased the quality of life in patients with hypertension having avoidance personality trait. The effect size showed a significant effect for all three patients.

ACT approach is effective on anxiety sensitivity and quality of life in patients with hypertension having avoidance personality trait.