Effectiveness of Acceptance & Commitment Therapy on Depression and Anhedonia among Patients with Terminal Stage Cancer

The research aimed to examine effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) on depression and anhedonia among patients with terminal stage cancer in Ahvaz.

The statistical population included all patients with terminal stage cancer of Ahvaz among whom 30 were recruited using randomized sampling method. The participants filled out the depression subscale of SCL-90 and Snaith-Hamilton's Anhedonia Questionnaire. The treatment group received 8 weekly sessions of ACT intervention each lasting 90 mins, while the control group received no intervention. The data were analyzed using MANCOVA and ANCOVA.

The results of analyses by MANCOVA and ANCOVA showed that ACT decreased patients' depression and anhedonia.

Generally, it could be concluded that the acceptance and commitment therapy was effective for improving the capability to feel joy among cancer patients facing death and is recommended.