Effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy on pain catastrophizing and depression of women with fibromyalgia

 Aims and background: Fibromyalgia is a common chronic pain disorder. Various psychological treatments have been somewhat effective in reduction of symptoms severity and increasing mental health of these patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy on pain catastrophizing and depression of women with fibromyalgia. Materials and methods: This was an experimental single-blind clinical trial study with pretest – posttest design and control group. The statistical population included all women with fibromyalgia who referred to rheumatology specialists in Ardabil within 2019. The subjects were 36 patients with fibromyalgia who were selected based on convenience sampling and were randomly divided into experimental (N=18) and control (N=18) group. Patients were evaluated by two questionnaires including Pain Catastrophizing Scale and Beck Depression Inventory-II. Data were analyzed by MANCOVA. Findings: There was a significant difference in pain catastrophizing and depression between the acceptance and commitment group and the control group after treatment. Conclusions: Psychological therapies can be effective in reducing symptoms severity and improve the mental health of women with fibromyalgia and it is necessary to pay attention to the psychological status of these patients.