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Self-compassion in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain: a pilot study
- Source :
- Carvalho, S A, Gillanders, D, Forte, T, Trindade, I A, Pinto-Gouveia, J, Guiomar, R, Castilho, P, Lapa, T, Valentim, A, Santos, E & Paciência, J 2021, ' Self-compassion in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain : A pilot study ', Scandinavian Journal of Pain . https://doi.org/10.1515/sjpain-2021-0214
- Publication Year :
- 2021
-
Abstract
- Objectives Evidence shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported psychological approach for chronic pain (CP) management. Although self-compassion is not explicitly a target of ACT, it seems to be one mechanism of change in ACT for CP. However, research is lacking on the benefits of including explicit self-compassionate exercises in ACT for CP. The current study pilot tested a Compassionate ACT 8-session group program (COMP.ACT; n=9), as well as an ACT-only 8-session group program (ACT; n=7), in a sample of women with CP. Methods The current study follows a quasi-experimental design, and conducts Reliable and Significant Change analyses comparing pre- to post-intervention scores of self-report measures. Results No differences were found between conditions at baseline, nor between completers and drop-outs. Although preliminary, results showed COMP.ACT led to greater clinical improvements in depression and anxiety, while ACT led to greater improvements in stress and uncompassionate self-responding. Reliable and Significant Change analysis showed that some participants improved significantly (in psychopathological symptoms, valued living and uncompassionate self-responding) in both conditions, while the majority did not change significantly. Conclusions More research is needed to conclude whether explicit self-compassion exercises are useful in ACT for CP. Limitations and implications are further discussed.
Details
- ISSN :
- 18778879
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Scandinavian journal of painReferences
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....206c23a4c8c12e92f82745cf32d4727a