The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Experiential Avoidance, Alexithymia and Emotion Regulation in Patients with Type One Diabetes, (Case Study)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy on experiential avoidance, alexithymia and emotion regulation in patients with type 1 diabetes. The statistical population was patients with type 1 diabetes that referred to Shariati hospitals from February to June 2022. Six participants were selected voluntarily according to research entry criteria. Data were collected using the Gomez Avoidance Questionnaire (1998), Toronto Alexithymia Scale, Garnowski Emotion Regulation, and Glucometer. Participants underwent eight one-hour protocol sessions after baseline, and the first follow-up was performed one month after the end of treatment and the second follow-up three months later. Data were analyzed using recovery formula, effect size, stability chamber and visual analysis. The results showed that the treatment was effective in reducing the level of avoidance, alexithymia and emotion regulation. Follow-up study showed that this treatment was also effective in lowering blood sugar. According to the findings, acceptance and commitment therapy provides the necessary conditions for adaptation and acceptance and increases the rate of self-care behaviors in individuals. This treatment regulates emotions, reduces alexithymia as well as experiential avoidance, and can be used as an effective intervention method.