1. The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention on Inflammation and Stress Biomarkers : a Randomized Controlled Trial
- Author
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Jaana Laitinen, Mikko Kolehmainen, Miikka Ermes, Leila Karhunen, Essi Sairanen, Urho M. Kujala, Sampsa Puttonen, Raimo Lappalainen, Jussi Pihlajamäki, Elina Järvelä-Reijonen, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Riitta Korpela, Tampere University, Department of Pharmacology, HUMI - Human Microbiome Research, and University of Helsinki
- Subjects
Mindfulness ,Psychological intervention ,biomarkkerit ,Overweight ,Acceptance and commitment therapy ,law.invention ,joustavuus ,0302 clinical medicine ,MARKERS ,Randomized controlled trial ,law ,Weight loss ,Psychology ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Psychological flexibility ,Applied Psychology ,tietoinen läsnäolo ,tulehdus ,EATING BEHAVIOR ,ylipaino ,PUBLIC-HEALTH PRACTICE ,psykofysiologia ,3. Good health ,Health psychology ,MINDFULNESS-BASED INTERVENTION ,CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE ,medicine.symptom ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,515 Psychology ,hyväksymis- ja omistautumisterapia ,PERCEIVED STRESS ,WEIGHT-LOSS ,Low-grade inflammation ,Stress ,Full Length Manuscript ,03 medical and health sciences ,SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being ,Internal medicine ,NORDIC DIET ,Post-hoc analysis ,medicine ,Humans ,Obesity ,Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ,Inflammation ,Psykologi ,business.industry ,CORTISOL ,stressi ,ACT ,PHYSICAL-ACTIVITY ,3111 Biomedicine ,business ,Biomarkers ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery ,fysiologiset vaikutukset - Abstract
Background Psychological processes can be manifested in physiological health. We investigated whether acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), targeted on psychological flexibility (PF), influences inflammation and stress biomarkers among working-age adults with psychological distress and overweight/obesity. Method Participants were randomized into three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based face-to-face (n = 65; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based mobile (n = 73; one group session and mobile app), and (3) control (n = 66; only the measurements). Systemic inflammation and stress markers were analyzed at baseline, at 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and at 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up). General PF and weight-related PF were measured with questionnaires (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties). Results A group × time interaction (p = .012) was detected in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level but not in other inflammation and stress biomarkers. hsCRP decreased significantly in the face-to-face group from week 0 to week 36, and at week 36, hsCRP was lower among the participants in the face-to-face group than in the mobile group (p = .035, post hoc test). Age and sex were stronger predictors of biomarker levels at follow-up than the post-intervention PF. Conclusion The results suggest that ACT delivered in group sessions may exert beneficial effects on low-grade systemic inflammation. More research is needed on how to best apply psychological interventions for the health of both mind and body among people with overweight/obesity and psychological distress. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01738256, Registered 17 August, 2012
- Published
- 2020
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