Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Suggested

2 studies · 1 recommendation

Last updated: February 25, 2026

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy – Breast Cancer

Suggested2 studies

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy reduces fatigue and sleep disturbance in breast cancer patients

Two randomized controlled trials with 59 total participants evaluated ACT for breast cancer. In a trial of 47 metastatic patients, six telephone-based ACT sessions produced moderate reductions in fatigue (Cohen's d = -0.43) and sleep disturbance (d = -0.43) at 12 weeks, outperforming education/support controls (d = -0.24 and -0.18, respectively). ACT participants also showed greater decreases in fatigue interference (d = -0.23 to -0.31) versus minimal control group change (d = -0.03 to 0.07), with 83% retention at 8 weeks. A second trial of 12 women compared ACT (8 sessions: 3 individual, 5 group) against cognitive control therapy, finding ACT produced superior improvements in anxiety, depression, and quality of life, with the largest differences at 12-month follow-up. ACT's benefit was linked to sustained behavioral activation despite ongoing emotional distress.

Evidence

Acceptance and commitment therapy for symptom interference in metastatic breast cancer patients: a pilot randomized trial

Authors: Bricker, Jonathan, Champion, Victoria L., Hirsh, Adam T., Johns, Shelley A., Li, Ruohong, Miller, Kathy D., Mina, Lida, Mosher, Catherine E., Newton, Erin V., Schneider, Bryan, Secinti, Ekin, Storniolo, Anna Maria

Published: January 12, 2018

In this randomized controlled trial of 47 symptomatic metastatic breast cancer patients, six telephone sessions of ACT showed promising effects on symptom interference. At 12 weeks post-baseline, ACT participants demonstrated moderate decreases in fatigue (Cohen's d = -0.43) and sleep disturbance (Cohen's d = -0.43), compared to smaller improvements in the education/support control group (d = -0.24 for fatigue, d = -0.18 for sleep disturbance). ACT participants also showed reductions in fatigue interference (d = -0.23 to -0.31) and sleep-related impairment at 8 and 12 weeks, while control participants showed minimal change (d = -0.03 to 0.07). The study demonstrated high feasibility with 64% eligibility screening rate and 83% retention at 8 weeks. Group differences did not reach statistical significance, indicating preliminary but promising results warranting further investigation.

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Tratamiento psicológico para el afrontamiento del cáncer de mama. Estudio comparativo entre estrategias de aceptación y de control cognitivo

Authors: Gutierrez, Olga, Luciano, Carmen, Páez, Marisa Beatriz

In a randomized controlled trial, 12 women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer were assigned to an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) protocol emphasizing acceptance strategies (n=6) or a cognitive-based protocol emphasizing cognitive control strategies (n=6). Treatment consisted of 8 sessions (3 individual, 5 group; 3 women per group). Measures of anxiety, depression, quality of life, and affected valued life areas were collected at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at 3, 6, and 12 months follow-up. The ACT-based group demonstrated superior outcomes compared to the cognitive control group, with the greatest differences emerging at the 12-month follow-up. Changes in the ACT condition were specifically associated with behavioral activation persisting even when emotional discomfort and suffering remained present.

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