Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Transactions on Data Analysis in Social Science

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Reducing Pain Intensity among Women with Breast Cancer

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Master’s Student in General Psychology, Islamic Azad University, Ayatollah Amoli Branch, Amol, Iran
Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on pain levels in women with breast cancer, a population often experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress due to the disease and its treatments. The study employed a single-case experimental design to provide an in-depth analysis of therapeutic outcomes. Two female patients diagnosed with breast cancer and meeting the inclusion criteria were recruited from Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran. Each participant underwent eight structured ACT sessions, each lasting approximately 2.5 hours. The intervention emphasized acceptance of unpleasant internal experiences, cognitive defusion, mindfulness techniques, and clarification of personal values to enhance psychological flexibility and adaptive coping. Pain intensity was assessed with the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) at multiple time points: baseline (pre-treatment), mid-treatment (sessions 2, 4, and 6), post-treatment (session 8), and a two-month follow-up. Data were analyzed using graphical representation to examine individual patterns of change. Findings revealed a clinically significant reduction in pain intensity across treatment and sustained improvements during follow-up for both participants. These results suggest that ACT, by promoting adaptive attitudes toward pain, enhancing coping strategies, and reducing experiential avoidance, can be considered an effective complementary psychological intervention for pain management in women with breast cancer.
Keywords

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Volume 4, Issue 3
Summer 2022
Pages 113-121

  • Receive Date 12 April 2022
  • Revise Date 14 May 2022
  • Accept Date 26 August 2022