The effectiveness of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach on quality of life and hemoglobin A1c among patients with type 2 diabetes

Background and aim: Diabetes is a chronic disease which is accompanied by high risk of disability and mortality, especially when it does not comply with the individual’s lifestyle. The present study was conducted by the aim of investigating the effectiveness of the acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) approach on quality of life and hemoglobin A1c among patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: The current study was conducted by semi-experimental method with pretest-posttest with control group design in which 30 patients referring to specialized diabetes clinic of Dr. Gharazi subspecialty hospital were assigned into two experiment and control groups through random sampling method. First, for examining lack of Axis-I disorders in patients, a structured interview questionnaire (SCID-I), and then the diabetes quality of life questionnaire (DQL) and hemoglobin A1c test were administered for both experiment and control groups. Afterwards, the acceptance and commitment therapy was provided for the experiment group in 10 120-minute sessions. After administering the therapy, both groups completed the diabetes quality of life questionnaire and hemoglobin A1c test again. Results: The mean of the experimental group was higher in the quality of life than the control group and decreased in the hemoglobin A1c. The effect of the interventional factor on quality of life was not statistically significant and the independent variable has not caused differences among the groups (P=0.859). The effect of intervention on Hemoglobin A1C was statistically significant and the independent variable caused differences among the groups (P=.046). Conclusion: The acceptance and commitment therapy, in 10 sessions, can significantly decrease hemoglobin A1c which, eventually, leads to decrease in diabetes complications and patient’s recovery, reduced mortality, reduced direct and indirect expenses for the patient, the patient’s family and the health care system of the country.