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The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Depression: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has gained recognition as a promising intervention for treating depression, focusing on promoting psychological flexibility and values-based living. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of ACT in reducing depressive symptoms and improving overall functioning in individuals with depression. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of ACT compared to control conditions (e.g., treatment as usual, other psychotherapies) in targeting symptoms of depression, including sadness, anhedonia, guilt, and cognitive distortions. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment format (individual vs. group), treatment duration, therapist adherence, and participant characteristics (e.g., age, comorbidities), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of ACT for depression.
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References
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