Effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy on perceived stress and pain perception of women with fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia syndrome is a chronic condition associated with widespread musculoskeletal pain that primarily affects women and has negative impact on psychosocial aspects of one’s life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy on perceived stress and pain perception in women with fibromyalgia.

This was an experimental single-blind clinical trial study with pretest – posttest design on control group. The statistical population included all women with fibromyalgia who referred to rheumatology specialists in Ardabil in 2019. The subjects were 36 patients with fibromyalgia who were selected based on convenience sampling and were randomly divided into one experimental (N=18) and one control (N=18) group. Patients were evaluated by two questionnaires including Cohen’s perceived Stress Scale and MC Gill Pain Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by MANCOVA.

Result showed that there was a significant difference in perceived stress and pain perception between acceptance and commitment group and control group after treatment.

Group acceptance and commitment therapy might be effective in reducing psychological problems in women with fibromyalgia.