Purpose: The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain patients. Methods: Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, we searched the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, OVID, PubMed and Korean databases to identify randomized controlled trials published through May 2019. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using the R program, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in this study. Studies were heterogeneous, and random effects models were used in the analyses. ACT was effective for improving pain (g=-0.40, 95%CI:-0.69~-1.12, p<.001, I2=80%), pain acceptance (g=1.24, 95% CI:0.41~2.05, p<.001, I2=95%), anxiety (g=-0.47, 95% CI:-0.81~-0.13, p<.001, I2=84%), depression (g=-0.52, 95% CI:-0.85~-0.19, p<.001, I2=85%), and quality of life (g=1.14, 95% CI:0.11~2.17, p<.001, I2=95%). Conclusion: Our study findings of the ACT seems to be effective for improving pain, pain acceptance, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, ACT may be useful for reducing barriers to therapy, and various studies should be attempted.
Purpose: The aims of this study was to evaluate the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for chronic pain patients. Methods: Based on the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, we searched the Cochrane Library, CINAHL, EMBASE, OVID, PubMed and Korean databases to identify randomized controlled trials published through May 2019. To estimate the effect size, a meta-analysis of the studies was performed using the R program, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane’s Risk of Bias tool for randomized studies. Results: A total of 11 studies were included in this study. Studies were heterogeneous, and random effects models were used in the analyses. ACT was effective for improving pain (g=-0.40, 95%CI:-0.69~-1.12, p<.001, I2=80%), pain acceptance (g=1.24, 95% CI:0.41~2.05, p<.001, I2=95%), anxiety (g=-0.47, 95% CI:-0.81~-0.13, p<.001, I2=84%), depression (g=-0.52, 95% CI:-0.85~-0.19, p<.001, I2=85%), and quality of life (g=1.14, 95% CI:0.11~2.17, p<.001, I2=95%). Conclusion: Our study findings of the ACT seems to be effective for improving pain, pain acceptance, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in patients with chronic pain. Additionally, ACT may be useful for reducing barriers to therapy, and various studies should be attempted.