The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention on Inflammation and Stress Biomarkers : a Randomized Controlled Trial
Järvelä-Reijonen, E., Puttonen, S., Karhunen, L., Sairanen, E., Laitinen, J., Kolehmainen, M., Pihlajamäki, J., Kujala, U. M., Korpela, R., Ermes, M., Lappalainen, R., & Kolehmainen, M. (2020). The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) Intervention on Inflammation and Stress Biomarkers : a Randomized Controlled Trial. International Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 25(7), 539-555. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12529-020-09891-8
Published in
International Journal of Behavioral MedicineAuthors
Date
2020Copyright
© The Authors 2020
Background
Psychological processes can be manifested in physiological health. We investigated whether acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), targeted on psychological flexibility (PF), influences inflammation and stress biomarkers among working-age adults with psychological distress and overweight/obesity.
Method
Participants were randomized into three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based face-to-face (n = 65; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based mobile (n = 73; one group session and mobile app), and (3) control (n = 66; only the measurements). Systemic inflammation and stress markers were analyzed at baseline, at 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and at 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up). General PF and weight-related PF were measured with questionnaires (Acceptance and Action Questionnaire, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire for Weight-Related Difficulties).
Results
A group × time interaction (p = .012) was detected in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) level but not in other inflammation and stress biomarkers. hsCRP decreased significantly in the face-to-face group from week 0 to week 36, and at week 36, hsCRP was lower among the participants in the face-to-face group than in the mobile group (p = .035, post hoc test). Age and sex were stronger predictors of biomarker levels at follow-up than the post-intervention PF.
Conclusion
The results suggest that ACT delivered in group sessions may exert beneficial effects on low-grade systemic inflammation. More research is needed on how to best apply psychological interventions for the health of both mind and body among people with overweight/obesity and psychological distress.
...
Publisher
SpringerISSN Search the Publication Forum
1070-5503Keywords
Publication in research information system
https://converis.jyu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/35413760
Metadata
Show full item recordCollections
Additional information about funding
Open access funding provided by University of Eastern Finland (UEF) including Kuopio University Hospital. The Elixir study was funded by the SalWe Research Program for Mind and Body (Tekes, the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation grant 1104/10). The preparation of this paper was also funded by the PhD student position (EJ-R) in the Doctoral Programme in Nutrition of the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, and by personal grant (EJ-R) of Finnish Cultural Foundation, North Savo Regional fund. ...License
Related items
Showing items with similar title or keywords.
-
A psychological flexibility -based intervention for burnout : A randomized controlled trial
Puolakanaho, Anne; Tolvanen, Asko; Kinnunen, Sanna M.; Lappalainen, Raimo (Elsevier BV, 2020)A novel eight-week program based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles was created to alleviate burnout-related ill-being and to enhance well-being. This randomized controlled trial investigated the ... -
Behavioral and psychological flexibility in eating regulation among overweight adults
Sairanen, Essi (University of Jyväskylä, 2016)Weight-loss programs are often based on self-control techniques and they commonly fail in long-term weight management. Identifying psychological processes that explain eating behaviors can help to develop more effective ... -
The effectiveness and applicability of different lifestyle interventions for enhancing wellbeing: the study design for a randomized controlled trial for persons with metabolic syndrome risk factors and psychological distress
Lappalainen, Raimo; Sairanen, Essi; Järvelä, Elina; Rantala, Sanni; Korpela, Riitta; Puttonen, Sampsa; Kujala, Urho; Myllymäki, Tero; Peuhkuri, Katri; Mattila, Elina; Kaipainen, Kirsikka; Ahtinen, Aino; Karhunen, Leila; Pihlajamäki, Jussi; Järnefelt, Heli; Laitinen, Jaana; Kutinlahti, Eija; Saarelma, Osmo; Ermes, Miikka; Kolehmainen, Marjukka (BioMed Central Ltd., 2014)Background. Obesity and stress are among the most common lifestyle-related health problems. Most of the current disease prevention and management models are not satisfactorily cost-effective and hardly reach those who ... -
Act, accept and be mindful : evaluation of three technology- and internet-delivered psychological interventions for mood and well-being
Lappalainen, Päivi (University of Jyväskylä, 2015) -
ACTing for depressive symptoms : a longitudinal study of a brief 4-session acceptance- and value-based intervention for symptoms of depression
Kohtala, Aino (Jyväskylän yliopisto, 2018)