The effect of online group based acceptance and commitment therapy on psychotic symptoms and functioning levels of individuals with early psychosis

Abstract

Objective: This study examined the effect of online group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) applied to individuals with early psychosis on psychotic symptoms and functionality levels.

Methods: This randomized controlled study population consisted of 77 individuals who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders according to DSM-5 diagnostic criteria at most three years ago. The study sample consisted of 53 individuals who met the inclusion criteria and were assigned to the intervention (n = 26) and control (n = 27) groups by simple randomization method. The intervention group received an eight-session ACT program as online group therapy, while the control group received no application made by the researchers. Data were obtained using the "Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)" and the "Social Functioning Assessment Scale (SFAS)" at pre-test, post-test and 3-month follow-up.

Results: While it was found that the post-test and 3-month follow-up test PANSS mean scores of the individuals in the intervention group were lower than the mean score of the individuals in the control group; it was determined that the mean score of SFAS was higher than the mean score of the individuals in the control group (p < 0.05). In addition, while no hospitalization was observed in the intervention group during the follow-up period, 14.8 % (n = 4) of the individuals in the control group were hospitalized.

Discussion: It was found that online group-based ACT applied to individuals with early psychosis reduced psychotic symptoms and increased their functionality levels. It was also found that hospitalizations were less in the intervention group.

Clinicaltrials: gov ID: NCT05210816.

Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy; Early psychosis; Functionality; Group therapy; Psychotic symptoms.