Effect of A Group Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Quality of Life and Communication Patterns in Patients with Breast Cancer and Their Spouses

Cancer can negatively affect couples'’ intimate relationships, creating a need for psychological interventions. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a group intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy on quality of life and communication patterns in patients with breast cancer and their spouses.

The study was a randomized controlled trial. The participating couples were randomly assigned to either the experimental or control groups. Each group consisted of 10 individuals (5 couples). Both groups completed quality of life questionnaires of cancer patients. the world health organization Quality of Life questionnaire and the Gottman distance and isolation Scale. Then, the experimental group participated in Acceptance and Commitment therapy–based intervention for eight sessions of two hours. Quality of life and communication patterns were evaluated immediately and 3 months after the intervention, Data were analyzed using independent t- tests and analysis of covariance.

The mean scores for communication pattern and quality of life for the experimental group (10.40 ± 4.50 and 54.46 ± 11.17, respectively) were significantly different compared with the control group (15/.30 ± 3/.40 and 45/.34 ± 11/.34, respectively) (both P < 0.001).

Based on the findings of the present study, acceptance and commitment therapy can improve quality of life and communication patterns of patients with cancer and their spouses and reduce couples'’ stress and communication challenges.