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Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Cognitive Flexibility and Pain Reduction in Patients with Chronic Pain: A Quasi-Experimental Study
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Mehri Abbasi1    , Vahid Ahmadi *2 , Shahram Mami1 , Homeira Soleimannejad1 , Zeinab Mihandoost1 |
1- Dept of psychology, Il.c, Islamic Azad university،Ilam, Iran
2- Dept of psychology, Il.c, Islamic Azad university،Ilam, Iran , V.ahmadi64@iau.ac.ir |
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Abstract: (480 Views) |
Introduction: The complexity of chronic pain underscores the need to compare effective therapeutic approaches for pain reduction and enhancement of cognitive processes, particularly psychological interventions that can play a key role in managing this condition. The present study aimed to compare the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on cognitive flexibility and pain reduction in patients with chronic pain.
Materials & Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pretest–posttest–two-month follow-up design with a control group. The target population included patients with chronic pain (chronic low back pain, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome) who referred to educational, therapeutic, and research centers in Kermanshah, including Taleghani, Imam Reza, and Farabi hospitals in 2023. A total of 69 participants were selected using convenience sampling, which limits the generalizability of the findings. Participants were randomly assigned to two intervention groups and a control group (23 participants per group) using a random number table. The ACT group received eight sessions, the CBT group received eight sessions, and the control group received no intervention. Data were collected using the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory and the Von Korff Pain Severity Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using repeated-measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc tests. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.
Results: The findings indicated that both ACT and CBT interventions significantly increased cognitive flexibility (p < 0.001). Additionally, pain severity significantly decreased in the intervention groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The test power was reported as 1, indicating high reliability of the findings. Furthermore, a statistically significant difference was observed between the two interventions, with ACT showing greater effectiveness in enhancing cognitive flexibility and reducing pain severity (p < 0.001).
Conclusion: Based on the present findings, ACT can be considered an effective psychological intervention in chronic pain clinics, contributing to improved cognitive functioning and pain management in patients. |
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| Keywords: Cognitive flexibility, chronic pain, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), pain severity |
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Full-Text [PDF 599 kb]
(217 Downloads)
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Editorial Note: Research |
Subject:
psychology
Received: 2025/11/2 | Accepted: 2025/12/9 | Published: 2026/03/25
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