Volume 29, Issue 2 (5-2026)
J Arak Uni Med Sci 2026, 29(2): 142-149 |
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Rozegar S, Rezaeifard A. The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Symptoms (Anxiety, Depression, Psychotic Thoughts), Cognitive Flexibility, and Treatment Adherence in Patients with MS: A Quasi-Experimental Study. J Arak Uni Med Sci 2026; 29 (2) :142-149
URL: http://jams.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-7740-en.html
URL: http://jams.arakmu.ac.ir/article-1-7740-en.html
1- MSc of Clinical Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Arsanjan Branch, Shiraz, Iran , s.roozegar7115@gmail.com
2- Department of Psychology and Counseling Education, Farhangian University. P.O. Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Psychology and Counseling Education, Farhangian University. P.O. Box 889-14665 Tehran, Iran
Abstract: (2146 Views)
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common neurological diseases, often occurring between 20-40 years of age, with women being twice as likely as men to be affected. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on psychological symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and treatment adherence in patients with MS.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all patients with MS referring to Hafez Hospital (Imam Reza (AS) and Shahid Motahari Clinics) in Shiraz in 2023. From the statistical population, 30 individuals were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (15 individuals) and control (15 individuals). The experimental group received 8 sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In order to collect research data, the Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) cognitive flexibility questionnaire, the Najarian and Davoudi (2000) psychological symptoms questionnaire, and the Modanloo (2013) medication adherence questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive tests and multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of psychological symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and treatment adherence in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). In other words, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective on psychological symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and treatment adherence in patients with MS.
Conclusions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, by utilizing six processes of psychological acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, contact with the present moment, values clarification, and committed action, can be used as an effective treatment to reduce psychological symptoms, enhance cognitive flexibility, and improve treatment adherence in patients with MS.
Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all patients with MS referring to Hafez Hospital (Imam Reza (AS) and Shahid Motahari Clinics) in Shiraz in 2023. From the statistical population, 30 individuals were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two groups: experimental (15 individuals) and control (15 individuals). The experimental group received 8 sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. In order to collect research data, the Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) cognitive flexibility questionnaire, the Najarian and Davoudi (2000) psychological symptoms questionnaire, and the Modanloo (2013) medication adherence questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive tests and multivariate analysis of covariance.
Results: The results showed a significant difference between the mean scores of psychological symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and treatment adherence in the experimental and control groups (p<0.05). In other words, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy was effective on psychological symptoms, cognitive flexibility, and treatment adherence in patients with MS.
Conclusions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, by utilizing six processes of psychological acceptance, cognitive defusion, self-as-context, contact with the present moment, values clarification, and committed action, can be used as an effective treatment to reduce psychological symptoms, enhance cognitive flexibility, and improve treatment adherence in patients with MS.
Keywords: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Multiple Sclerosis, Psychological Symptoms, Cognitive Flexibility, Treatment Adherence
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