Effectiveness training based on acceptance, commitment and compassion on pain catastrophizing, distress tolerance and post traumatic growth in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness training based on acceptance, commitment and compassion on pain catastrophizing, distress tolerance and post-traumatic growth in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome.

This study was done by semi-experimental approach with two groups and three stages (pre-test, posttest & follow up). 30 patients with fibromyalgia syndrome were selected through available sampling and randomly assigned into experimental and control groups. Intervention was administered to the experimental group for 10 sessions. The research tools were included of the Pain Catastrophizing Scale of Sullivan et al (1995), Simons & Gaher Distress Tolerance Questionnaire (2005), and Post Traumatic Growth Questionnaire of Tedeschi & Calhoun (1996).

The results showed that training based on acceptance, commitment and compassionhas significant effects on pain catastrophizing, distress tolerance and post-traumatic growth in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (P<0.001). These effects have remained in the 45 days follow-up period.

According to the results, training based on acceptance, commitment and compassionhave implications for improving the psychological state of patients with fibromyalgia that can be used to improve the quality of life of these patients.