Comparison of the Efficacy of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (Experience-Based Therapy Package) on Anxiety, Depression and Quality of Life in Female Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of commitment and acceptance therapy (experience-based therapy package) with cognitive behavioral therapy in reducing anxiety and depression and increasing quality of life in female patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The research method was applied in terms of purpose and semi-experimental in terms of data collection, and was conducted in the form of a pre-test-post-test and a two-month follow-up with the control group. The statistical population includes all patients with irritable bowel syndrome who presented to the clinics of gastroenterologists in Isfahan in 2018-19. The statistical sample consisted of 39 female patients with IBS who were randomly selected and then randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome-Quality of Life (QOL-IBS) were used. Data analysis was performed using SPSS-21 software and analysis of variance with repeated measures. The results showed that both treatments had a significant effect on reducing anxiety, depression, and improving patients’ quality of life, and that this effect was stable until follow-up. Further (p < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the treatment groups, so the use of either of these treatments is recommended as adjunctive therapy depending on the patient's condition and acceptability.