Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Pain Perception and Acceptance in End-Stage Cancer Patients
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Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of ACT on pain perception and pain acceptance in end-stage cancer patients.
Methods and Materials: A quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages was used. Thirty end-stage cancer patients at Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran were selected via convenience sampling and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n=15) or a control group (n=15). The intervention group received eight weekly ACT sessions based on Hayes et al.'s protocol, while the control group was placed on a waitlist. Pain perception and acceptance were assessed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA via SPSS version 24.
Findings: A statistically significant group-by-time interaction was observed in pain perception and acceptance (F = 26.83, p < 0.001), indicating that ACT led to notable improvements in the experimental group. No significant changes were observed in the control group. The intervention effects remained stable at follow-up.
Conclusion: ACT appears to be an effective intervention for improving pain perception and acceptance in End-Stage Cancer Patients. These findings highlight the value of integrating ACT into palliative care to enhance psychological adaptation and quality of life in this vulnerable population.
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