Effect of acceptance-based behavior therapy on severity of symptoms, worry and quality of life in women with generalized anxiety disorder.

OBJECTIVE

Acceptance-based behavior therapy (ABBT) is a new psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). The current study intended to compare severity of symptoms, worry and quality of life of GAD female patients between ABBT and control.

METHODS

This study was a randomized clinical trial. The sample included 18 women with GAD referred to psychiatrists in Isfahan, Iran. Patients were assigned in 2 groups randomly (ABBT and control group without any psychotherapy). Both groups received medication. The intervention in ABBT group was conducted based on Roemer & Orsillo's manual for Acceptance-based Behavior Therapy for GAD. 12 therapeutic sessions administered in Shariati psychiatric clinic of Isfahan. The instruments included the GAD-7 Inventory, Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) and Short Form Health Survey -12 revised Version (SF-12V2). The data were analyzed using the Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANCOVA).

RESULTS

Overall, clients receiving ABBT compared to control group reported a significantly decrease in severity of GAD symptoms, and improve in quality of life at post- treatment state. They reported decrease in severity of worry but it was not statistically significant compared to control group. Conclusion : ABBT was effective in alleviating symptoms of GAD.