Study on acceptance and commitment therapy for stress prevention

Elin Frögéli et al.

April 2015

Anti-Stress & Burnout

The neuroscience department of the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden tested the effect of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) during nursing training to prevent stress-related illnesses.

To this end, it conducted a randomized pilot study with a sample of 112 trainee nurses.

The results of the six-session, two-hour program were compared with those of a standard reflection seminar and showed that acceptance and commitment therapy increased awareness and reduced experiential avoidance.

In addition, perceived stress and the risk of burnout were reduced in subjects in the ACT group. Most of the values measured after the intervention could still be determined after three months.

The study therefore suggests that acceptance and commitment therapy is suitable as a treatment to prevent or at least reduce stress and burnout during nursing training.

The most important information on the study at a glance

Indications: Stress, burnout
Institution: Department of Clinical Neuroscience , Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
Title: Study on acceptance and commitment therapy for stress prevention
Brief description: A study shows that acceptance and commitment therapy effectively reduces stress and burnout in nursing trainees.
Original title: A randomized controlled pilot trial of acceptance and commitment training (ACT) for preventing stress-related ill health among future nurses
Link to the study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25759942/