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The Efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has gained recognition as a transdiagnostic approach for treating anxiety disorders, emphasizing acceptance of internal experiences and commitment to value-based actions to foster psychological flexibility. This meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluates the efficacy of ACT in reducing anxiety symptoms and improving overall functioning in individuals with various anxiety disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), social anxiety disorder (SAD), panic disorder (PD), and specific phobias. Through a comprehensive literature review, the meta-analysis synthesizes effect sizes from RCTs assessing the effectiveness of ACT compared to control conditions (e.g., waitlist, treatment as usual, active interventions) in targeting anxiety symptoms, including worry, fear, avoidance behaviors, and functional impairment. Additionally, it examines potential moderators of treatment outcomes, such as treatment duration, therapist adherence to ACT principles, treatment format (individual vs. group), and participant characteristics (e.g., age, comorbidities), to better understand the factors influencing the effectiveness of ACT for anxiety disorders.
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References
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