An Overview of Research on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Michael E Levin; Jennifer Krafft; Michael P Twohig

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2024.02.007

An Overview of Research on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2024 Jun;47(2):419-431. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2024.02.007. Epub 2024 Mar 21.

Authors

Michael E Levin¹, Jennifer Krafft², Michael P Twohig³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA. Electronic address: Mike.Levin@usu.edu.
² Department of Psychology, Mississippi State University, 110 Magruder Hall, 255 Lee Boulevard, Mississippi State, MS 39762, USA.
³ Department of Psychology, Utah State University, 2810 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322, USA.

PMID: 38724128
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2024.02.007

Abstract

This review summarized recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses on randomized controlled trials evaluating acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT). Although the strength of evidence varies, overall there is plausible evidence for the efficacy of ACT for a wide range of areas including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, chronic pain, coping with chronic health conditions, obesity, stigma, and stress and burnout. ACT is also efficacious when delivered in digital self-help formats. Reviews of mediation research indicate ACT works through increasing psychological flexibility.

Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy; Contextual behavioral science; Mindfulness; Psychological flexibility; Review.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy* / methods
Humans
Mental Disorders / therapy