Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on cognitive function: A systematic review

Haihong Liu; Nan Liu; Sheau Tsuey Chong; Eugene Koh Boon Yau; Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai

Heliyon (Mar 2023)

Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on cognitive function: A systematic review

Haihong Liu,
Nan Liu,
Sheau Tsuey Chong,
Eugene Koh Boon Yau,
Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai

Affiliations

Haihong Liu: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia; Department of Psychology, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China; Hebei International Research Center of Medical Engineering, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
Nan Liu: Department of Psychology, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, China
Sheau Tsuey Chong: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia; Counselling Psychology Programme, Secretariat of Postgraduate Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600,Malaysia; Corresponding author. Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia.
Eugene Koh Boon Yau: Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, 43400, Malaysia
Abdul Rahman Ahmad Badayai: Centre for Research in Psychology and Human Well-Being, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, 43600, Malaysia

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 9, no. 3
p. e14057

Abstract

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Cognitive function is essential for daily activities. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) may improve cognitive function by enhancing psychological flexibility, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of ACT on cognitive function. Seven research databases (PubMed, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, CNKI, Scopus, Wanfang) were searched to collect articles with trials published in English and Chinese. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, we identified 12 studies published between 1994 and 2022 that included a combined total of 904 participants. Among the included studies were within-group (N = 3) and randomized controlled trial (RCT, N = 9) study designs. Outcome measures included cognitive scales and behavioral measurements. Of the 12 articles, 10 studies showed improvements in certain domains of cognitive function due indirectly to ACT intervention. We found that the ability of ACT intervention to promote psychological flexibility is due to its transdiagnostic nature. Also, the effects of the ACT intervention were observed in multiple cognitive domains: attention, subjective cognitive function, executive function, and memory. In conclusion, cognitive trainers could consider practicing ACT as part of their strategy to enhance an individual's psychological flexibility and cognitive function.

Published in Heliyon

ISSN: 2405-8440 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science: Science (General); Social Sciences: Social sciences (General)
Website: https://www.cell.com/heliyon/home

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