title: A comparative study of 2 manual-based self-help interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy and applied relaxation, for persons with chronic pain.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare 2 self-help-based interventions; a coping-oriented approach, applied relaxation (AR) and an acceptance-oriented approach, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), for persons with chronic pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a randomized control trial (N=90) with a mixed between-within participants design with repeated measures. Interventions in both conditions comprised an initial face-to-face session, a 7-week manual-based self-help intervention including weekly therapist telephone support and a concluding face-to-face session. Outcome measures included satisfaction with life, depression, anxiety, acceptance of chronic pain, level of function, and pain intensity. Effects were measured at preintervention and postintervention and at 6 and 12 months after the end of intervention.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that the ACT condition increased their level of acceptance significantly compared with the AR condition. There was also a marginally significant interaction effect regarding satisfaction with life in which the ACT condition had improved in comparison to the AR condition. Further, the ACT condition reported a higher level of function and decreased pain intensity compared with the AR condition. Both conditions improved significantly regarding depression and anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A manual-based self-help intervention with weekly therapist support in an ACT format adds value to the treatment repertoire for persons suffering with chronic pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden. jennysophia@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Thorsell
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Finnes
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dahl
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lundgren
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gybrant
authors.forename: Torsten
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gordh
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buhrman
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D059350:Chronic Pain / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D012063:Relaxation / Q000502:physiology*; D012648:Self Care; D013689:Telephone; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome