Effectiveness of Acceptance- and Commitment-Based Therapy on Pain Perception and Functional Disability in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Background and Aim: Rheumatoid arthritis is the most common and most important type of arthritis caused by interaction of genetic, immunologic, psychological and social factors and is accompanied by chronic pains. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of treatment based on acceptance and commitment to the perception of pain and functional disability of women with rheumatoid arthritis in Khorramabad, Iran. Materials and Method: This was a semi-experimental study with a pre- and post-test design with experimental and control groups, the statistical population being all the women with rheumatoid arthritis in Khorramabad, Iran. A sample of 40 women were selected using the available sampling method and randomly assigned to either an experimental (n = 20) or a control (n= 20) group. Under similar circumstances a pre-test was conducted using the pain perception and functional disability questionnaires in both groups. Admission- and commitment-based treatment interventions were then performed in the experimental group in eight 90-minute sessions, but the control group did not receive any intervention. At the end, post-tests were done in both groups. Results: The multivariate and univariate analysis of covariance showed that the intervention based on acceptance and commitment had a significant effect on reducing the patients' perception of pain and functional disability (P <0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it can be said that treatment based on acceptance and commitment can reduce the perception of pain and functional disability in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, along with medical treatment, this type of treatment can be used to reduce the perception of pain and functional disability of such patients.