Application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Emotional Control in Type II Diabetic patients2018

Diabetes is known as a group of metabolic diseases characterized by high levels of glucose due to varying degrees of insulin resistance or insulin secretion. Type 2 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes, which accounts for 90% of the cases and the prevalence is increasing. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is among the novel and effective approaches for treating psychological disorders due to distinct diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of the fundamental concepts of ACT on the diabetic patients and reduction of the tensions posed on these people.

This quasi-experimental pretest posttest study with control group was performed on the statistical sample including 24 women with type II diabetes mellitus in Khaf, Iran. The subjects were selected by convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the two groups of experiment (N=12) and control (N=12). Data collection was completed using emotion regulation questionnaire. The validity of the test was also confirmed. The training plan entailed ACT as eight 90-min sessions.

According to the findings of this study, training based on admission and commitment was influential in controlling emotions, namely aggression, depression, anxiety, and positive emotion in patients with type II diabetes (P < 0.001).

Overall, the findings of the present study showed that emotional control training could pose effect through ACT for type 2 diabetic patients. Accordingly, it can be concluded that learning emotional control and management is important in augmenting self-awareness and healthy relationships. On the other hand, these trainings reduce negative emotions, such as aggression and depression, as well as the effect of these disorders on physical, psychological, and emotional health.