The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Fasting Plasma sugar and Self-efficacy in women with type 2 diabetes

Abstract

This research aimed to assess the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on fasting blood sugar level and self-efficacy in type II diabetic women. Research methodology was quasi-experimental with pre & post-test, and follow-up (3 months) with a control group. Statistical population was all type II diabetic women, who referred to the Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran. Thirty female diabetic patients were selected by convenient sampling method and randomly assigned into two groups, experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 15). General Self-efficacy Scale (Sherer and Maddux, 1982) and Fasting Blood Sugar Test were used in the pre-test stage. Then, the experimental group participated in 8 sessions of therapy while the control group received no intervention. Finally, both groups were subjected to post-test and follow-up (3 months). Data analysis for the self-efficacy variable was done using the univariate analysis of covariance and repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze the data obtained through pre and post-meal blood sugar tests. Findings showed that after treatments there was a significant difference between test and control group. So that in experimental group, the mean score of self-efficacy and fasting blood sugar level increased and decreased, respectively, compared to the control (p < 0.001).