The efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy for people with type 2 diabetes: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract

AIM/INTRODUCTION\nThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for people with type 2 diabetes mellitus.\n\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS\nSeveral electronic databases were examined on January 16, 2021, including PubMed, CENTRAL, PsycINFO, International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomised controlled trials were included to compare ACT with usual treatment for people with type 2 diabetes reported in any language. Primary outcome measures were HbA1c , self-care ability assessed by the summary of diabetes self-care activities (SDSCA), and all adverse events (AEs). The secondary outcome measure was acceptance assessed by the acceptance and action diabetes questionnaire (AADQ).\n\n\nRESULTS\nOf 678 publications initially identified, three trials were included in the meta-analysis. ACT resulted in a reduction in HbA1c (mean difference [MD] -0.62 points lower in the intervention group; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.07 to -0.16; I2 = 0%; low-quality evidence). In addition, ACT increased the score of the SDSCA (MD 8.48 points higher in the intervention group; 95% CI, 2.16 to 14.80; high quality evidence). AEs were not measured in all trials. ACT increased scores of the AADQ (MD 5.98 points higher in the intervention group; 95% CI, 1.42 to 10.54; I2 = 43%; low-quality evidence).\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nACT may reduce HbA1c and increase self-care ability and acceptance among people with type 2 diabetes.