The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Impulsivity of Patients with Depression

Abstract

Introduction : Impulsivity is one of the main cores of bipolar disorder and the maintenance factor of depressive symptoms in patients with major depressive disorder. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the acceptance and commitment therapy in impulsivity of patients with bipolar I disorder and major depression disorder. Method : The study design was quasi-experimental. The study population included all patients with bipolar I disorder and major depression disorder that have been referred to the public and private treatment centers of Zanjan; among those, 12 patients with bipolar I disorder and 12 patients with major depression disorder were selected based on psychiatric diagnosis and on the criteria of DSM-IV. Also by Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and according to the inclusion criteria and convenient sampling, all patients received 8 sessions of 90 minutes treatment based on acceptance and commitment therapy. All Patients were assessed three times (before treatment, mid-treatment and end of treatment) using the Impulsivity Questionnaire (Barrat et al, 1977). Data were analyzed by ANOVA with repeated measure test. Results: The results of data analysis indicated the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in decreasing impulsivity (F (66, 3) =115/7; P<0/001, ETA=0/84) and the components of attention/cognitive impulsivity (p<0/001), motor impulsivity (p<0/001), and non-planning (p<0/001) in both groups of patients with bipolar disorder-I and major depression disorder. Conclusion: Acceptance and commitment therapy decreases the impulsivity of patients with bipolar disorder and major depression disorder by increasing awareness, psychological acceptance, emotional isolation, management of emotions, reducing ineffective control and use of problem-solving.