Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by impaired glucose regulation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of Acceptance-Based Emotion Regulation Therapy (ABERT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on HbA1c levels and self-care behaviors in patients living with T2D. Participants were randomly assigned to ABERT (n = 16), ACT (n = 17), and control (n = 17) groups. The treatment groups received therapy based on treatment manuals, while the control group received treatment as usual (i.e., standard medical treatment). Assessments were conducted pre- and post-treatment, with a six-month follow-up, measuring HbA1c levels and self-care behaviors. Results from repeated-measures ANOVAs and post-hoc analysis demonstrated that both ABERT and ACT led to significant improvements compared to the control group. However, ABERT was more effective than ACT in reducing HbA1c levels and enhancing self-care behaviors, with sustained benefits observed in the long term. At the individual level, a higher percentage of participants in the ACT and ABERT groups experienced a global improvement in HbA1c compared to the control group during the post-test assessment. Furthermore, a higher percentage of participants in the ABERT group showed global improvement compared to both the ACT and control groups in the post-test to follow-up period. No statistically significant differences in self-care behaviors were observed between the groups at the individual level. These findings suggest that the ABERT may be a valuable intervention for individuals living with T2D, though more studies are needed to examine this subject.

BACKGROUND: Nurse burnout leads to an increase in turnover, which is a serious problem in the health care system. Although there is ample evidence of nurse burnout, interventions developed in previous studies were general and did not consider specific burnout dimensions and individual characteristics.
OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to develop and optimize the first tailored mobile intervention for nurse burnout, which recommends programs based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, and to test its usability, effectiveness, and satisfaction.
METHODS: In this study, an AI-based mobile intervention, Nurse Healing Space, was developed to provide tailored programs for nurse burnout. The 4-week program included mindfulness meditation, laughter therapy, storytelling, reflective writing, and acceptance and commitment therapy. The AI algorithm recommended one of these programs to participants by calculating similarity through a pretest consisting of participants\' demographics, research variables, and burnout dimension scores measured with the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. After completing a 4-week program, burnout, job stress, stress response using the Stress Response Inventory Modified Form, the usability of the app, coping strategy by the coping strategy indicator, and program satisfaction (1: very dissatisfied; 5: very satisfied) were measured. The AI recognized the recommended program as effective if the user\'s burnout score reduced after the 2-week program and updated the algorithm accordingly. After a pilot test (n=10), AI optimization was performed (n=300). A paired 2-tailed t test, ANOVA, and the Spearman correlation were used to test the effect of the intervention and algorithm optimization.
RESULTS: Nurse Healing Space was implemented as a mobile app equipped with a system that recommended 1 program out of 4 based on similarity between users through AI. The AI algorithm worked well in matching the program recommended to participants who were most similar using valid data. Users were satisfied with the convenience and visual quality but were dissatisfied with the absence of notifications and inability to customize the program. The overall usability score of the app was 3.4 out of 5 points. Nurses\' burnout scores decreased significantly after the completion of the first 2-week program (t=7.012; P<.001) and reduced further after the second 2-week program (t=2.811; P=.01). After completing the Nurse Healing Space program, job stress (t=6.765; P<.001) and stress responses (t=5.864; P<.001) decreased significantly. During the second 2-week program, the burnout level reduced in the order of participation (r=-0.138; P=.04). User satisfaction increased for both the first (F=3.493; P=.03) and second programs (F=3.911; P=.02).
CONCLUSIONS: This program effectively reduced burnout, job stress, and stress responses. Nurse managers were able to prevent nurses from resigning and maintain the quality of medical services using this AI-based program to provide tailored interventions for nurse burnout. Thus, this app could improve qualitative health care, increase employee satisfaction, reduce costs, and ultimately improve the efficiency of the health care system.

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical and demographic characteristics of severe asthma (SA) patients and their management in Russian Federation.
METHODS: This publication provides data for Russian part of population of the international observational study. In Phase I, retrospective analysis of medical records of patients with SA was performed with assessment of clinical and demographic data, medical history, comorbidities, treatment approaches and healthcare utilization. Phase II was a cross-sectional collection of patient-reported outcomes: level of asthma control assessed by ACT (Asthma Control Test) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measured using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Phase I patients were enrolled into Phase II if they signed a written consent form.
RESULTS: A total of 315 patients were included in Phase I of the study, 106 (33.6%) of them entered Phase II. Majority of study participants were either obese (n=103; 39.8%) or overweight (n=94; 36.3%). The most common comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases (n=217; 71.4%), followed by chronic respiratory diseases (n=198; 68.8%). There were 268 (85.1%) patients who had at least one exacerbation during last 12 months. Data for blood eosinophil count were available in 176 patients; 81.3% of them (n=143) had only one test in the last 12 months. The mean (SD) last available blood eosinophil count was 161.2 (181.2) cells/mm3. Serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE) value was known for 88 patients, and the mean (SD) last measured IgE value was 254.3 (249.7) ng/mL. Only 4.7% of Phase II participants had ACT scores indicative of controlled asthma (>20). As much as 74.5% had scores ≤15 suggesting uncontrolled disease. Most patients also had impaired HRQoL.
CONCLUSIONS: Most SA patients had poor disease control with frequent exacerbations and high number of comorbidities. Blood eosinophils and IgE level measurements were not evaluated routinely which might be a barrier for appropriate phenotyping and treatment selection.
Цель. Оценить клинико-демографические характеристики и особенности ведения пациентов с тяжелой бронхиальной астмой (ТБА) в России. Материалы и методы. В публикации представлены данные российской популяции международного наблюдательного исследования. В Фазу I включены 315 пациентов, 106 (33,6%) из них вошли в Фазу II. Фаза I включала ретроспективный анализ медицинских документов взрослых больных ТБА с оценкой демографических данных, особенностей анамнеза, сопутствующих заболеваний, подходов к терапии и использования ресурсов здравоохранения. Фаза II представляла собой одномоментное исследование, проводимое для оценки контроля заболевания при помощи Теста по контролю над астмой (Asthma Control Test – ACT) и качества жизни, связанного со здоровьем (HRQoL), по Европейскому опроснику оценки качества жизни (EQ-5D-5L). Участников Фазы I включали в Фазу II после подписания информированного согласия. Результаты. Большинство участников имели ожирение (n=103; 39,8%) или избыточную массу тела (n=94; 36,3%). Самыми частыми сопутствующими заболеваниями оказались сердечно-сосудистые (n=217; 71,4%) и хронические заболевания органов дыхания (n=198; 68,8%). У 268 (85,1%) пациентов в предыдущие 12 мес отмечалось по меньшей мере одно обострение. Данные о количестве эозинофилов крови доступны у 176 пациентов; у 81,3% из них анализ выполнен однократно в течение 12 мес. Среднее значение последнего зарегистрированного количества эозинофилов крови (SD) составило 161,2 (181,2) клеток на 1 мкл. Уровень общего иммуноглобулина E (IgE) оказался известен у 88 пациентов. Средняя величина последнего значения общего IgE (SD) составила 254,3 (249,7) нг/мл. Лишь у 4,7% участников Фазы II показатели АСТ соответствовали контролируемой БА (сумма баллов >20). У 74,5% сумма баллов ACT составила ≤15, что предполагало отсутствие контроля. Пациенты также демонстрировали сниженные показатели качества жизни, ассоциированного со здоровьем. Заключение. У большинства больных ТБА отмечены неудовлетворительный контроль заболевания с частыми обострениями, а также значительное число сопутствующих заболеваний. Количество эозинофилов и уровень IgE редко оцениваются в рутинной практике, что может препятствовать подбору фенотип-ориентированной терапии.

Diagnostic and therapeutic options for asthma have improved with asthma control and remission being of central importance. The RELEVANT study aimed for a nationwide snapshot of current asthma diagnosis and treatment in general practice and specialty care for identification of further aspects for optimization.
RELEVANT is a nationwide cross-sectional study using a structured questionnaire. This comprised 14 questions on asthma-related topics covering diagnostics and therapy. Participants were general practitioners/internal medicine specialists and pulmonologists.
A total of 1,558 persons took part in the survey. Regarding relevant specific diagnostic procedures for asthma, GPs/internists almost exclusively mentioned pulse oximetry. Among the pulmonologists, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) measurement was mentioned, among others. FeNO and blood eosinophils were only mentioned by the pulmonologists as diagnostic and treatment-relevant markers. A total of more than 60% of the GPs/internists surveyed stated that only around 25% or fewer of their patients would voluntarily report restrictions in their everyday lives. Regarding drug treatment, the majority stated that they recognized differences between various ICS/LABA combination therapies.
The results indicate a need for optimization, particularly regarding asthma control. This involves both a better assessment by patients\' everyday life restrictions and modern ways of assessing asthma control in cooperation between GPs/internal medicine specialists and pulmonologists. One fifth of respondents do not see any differences between various ICS/LABA combinations in daily practice, although there are pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differences.
Hintergrund: Die diagnostischen und therapeutischen Möglichkeiten bei Asthma haben sich verbessert. Der Asthmakontrolle und -remission kommt dabei eine zentrale Bedeutung zu. Die Versorgungsstudie RELEVANT hatte zum Ziel, eine bundesweite Momentaufnahme der gegenwärtigen Diagnostik und Therapie des Asthmas im niedergelassenen Bereich zu erstellen, um mögliche Ansatzpunkte zur weiteren Optimierung zu finden.
RELEVANT ist eine bundesweit durchgeführte Querschnittstudie mittels strukturierten Fragebogens. Dieser umfasste 14 Fragen zu Asthma-assoziierten Themenkomplexen aus den Bereichen Diagnostik und Therapie. Teilnehmende waren niedergelassene Hausärzte/Internisten sowie Pneumologen.Ergebnisse: Insgesamt nahmen 1.558 Personen an der Umfrage teil. Hinsichtlich relevanter spezifischer diagnostischer Verfahren bei Asthma nannten Hausärzte/Internisten nahezu ausschließlich die Pulsoxymetrie. Bei den Pneumologen wurde daneben u. a. die Messung des fraktionierten exhalierten Stickstoffmonoxids (FeNO) angegeben. FeNO und Bluteosinophile wurden nur von den Pneumologen als diagnostische und therapierelevante Marker genannt. Insgesamt über 60% der befragten Hausärzte/Internisten gaben an, nur ca. 25% oder weniger ihrer Patienten würden von sich aus über Alltagseinschränkungen berichten. Bei der Asthmatherapie gab die Mehrheit an, Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen ICS/LABA-Kombinationstherapien zu erkennen.Schlussfolgerungen: Die Ergebnisse deuten an, dass es insbesondere beim Thema Asthmakontrolle noch Optimierungsbedarf gibt. Dabei geht es sowohl um eine bessere Patienteneinschätzung hinsichtlich Alltagseinschränkungen als auch um moderne Möglichkeiten der Bewertung der Asthmakontrolle in Kooperation zwischen Hausärzten/Internisten und Pneumologen. Ein Fünftel der Befragten in der Praxis sieht keine Unterschiede zwischen verschiedenen ICS/LABA-Kombinationen, wenngleich pharmakodynamische und -kinetische Unterschiede bestehen.Schlüsselwörter: Asthma, Diagnostik, Therapie, Kontrolle, ICS/LABA, FeNO, Versorgung, ACTEingereicht am 18.12.2023 - Revision akzeptiert am 12.02.2024.

BACKGROUND: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), as an empirically based third-wave cognitive behavioral therapy, has shown promise in enhancing well-being and functioning across diverse populations. However, in the context of caregiving, the effect size of available ACT interventions remains at best moderate, sometimes accompanied by high dropout rates, highlighting the need for more effective and feasible intervention designs.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a fully online ACT program designed for family caregivers of people with dementia. This study aimed to boost psychological flexibility and support caregivers, enabling them to realize and prioritize their own life values alongside their caregiving responsibilities.
METHODS: A mixed methods feasibility study using an uncontrolled pretest-posttest design was conducted. This intervention included a 9-week web-based self-help program based on ACT incorporating collaborative goal setting and weekly web-based motivational coaching for family caregivers of people with dementia. This study involved 30 informal caregivers recruited through memory clinics and social media platforms in the Netherlands and received approval from the Medical Ethics Committee of the Maastricht University Medical Center+ (NL77389.068.21/metc21-029).
RESULTS: A total of 24 caregivers completed the postintervention assessment, indicating a high adherence rate (24/29, 83%). Caregivers reported positive feedback regarding collaborative goal setting, but some found challenges in implementing new skills due to their own habitual responses or the unpredictable context of dementia caregiving. Personalizing the intervention based on individual value preferences was highlighted as beneficial.
CONCLUSIONS: Compared to other web-based self-help ACT interventions for family caregivers, this intervention showed a high adherence and sufficient level of feasibility, which underscores the use of personalization in delivering web-based interventions. Moreover, the potential of this ACT-based intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia was demonstrated, suggesting that further research and a larger-scale controlled trial are warranted to validate its effectiveness.
UNASSIGNED: RR2-10.1136/bmjopen-2022-070499.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an empirically supported psychotherapy that offers promise for the mental health of minoritised ethnic populations. Given the diversity of those presenting to inner-city services and barriers to accessing appropriate mental healthcare, we sought to develop a culturally syntonic ACT intervention for UK Vietnamese refugee communities in a practice-based partnership project between a National Health Service and local third-sector service in East London. The aim was to explore the feasibility, acceptability and impact of the adapted intervention to inform culturally inclusive clinical practice and future research. We outline key aspects of Vietnamese belief systems and culture, and consider how these might influence the optimisation of group-based ACT. We then present a mixed-method evaluation of the seven-session adapted ACT group for 11 participants (9 male and 5 female, aged between 44 and 73 years). Individual-level change analyses indicated clinically significant improvements in psychological flexibility for the minority of participants and a mixed pattern for impact on well-being. A thematic analysis and descriptive approach examined acceptability, feasibility and narratives of impact. Participants reported positive feedback on group experience, relevance and usefulness, and emergent themes indicate that the group facilitated key acceptance, commitment and behaviour-change processes, promoted social connections and increased engagement in meaningful life activities in relation to new perspectives and values-based action. Limitations are outlined, but overall, findings suggest preliminary support for the potential beneficial effect of the adapted ACT group as a feasible, culturally acceptable therapeutic approach for UK Vietnamese communities that is worthy of further investigation.

BACKGROUND: Psychological interventions, along with antipsychotic medications, are recommended for adults diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. While initially designed to mitigate positive symptoms, psychological interventions targeting personal recovery were developed and aligned with the recovery framework that many mental health services have adopted. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for psychosis is one such intervention that shows promise when delivered in an individual format. There is preliminary evidence that ACT for psychosis in a group format improves recovery.
OBJECTIVE: This trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the \"Recovery ACT\" group program on personal recovery among adults living with a psychotic disorder.
METHODS: Our unfunded study is a multiagency, prospective, nonrandomized, waitlist control, single-group trial of the Recovery ACT group program. The program involves 7 weekly group sessions of 90 minutes duration and a 90-minute booster session held 1 month later. We intend to recruit 160 adults living with a psychotic disorder who enroll in a group that is offered as a routine clinical service at participating public mental health services in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. The 4 assessment time points are 4-6 weeks before the start of the group program, at the start of the group program, at the end of the group program, and at the booster session. There is an optional midgroup assessment and follow-up study. The primary outcome is personal recovery. Secondary outcomes include participants\' well-being and psychological flexibility processes. Qualitative data are also collected from participants and facilitators.
RESULTS: Recruitment began in September 2019 and is ongoing until 2024, subsequent to a 24-month disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of the submission of this paper, 93 participants consented to the evaluation, 65 completed T1 measures, and 40 had a complete data set for the proposed analyses.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first trial evaluating the effectiveness of the Recovery ACT group program on personal recovery for adults living with a psychotic disorder. Findings will contribute to knowledge about psychosocial interventions for adults living with psychosis. This trial may also serve as an example of a partnership between clinicians and academics that can facilitate the translation of research into practice.
BACKGROUND: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620000223932; https://anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?ACTRN=12620000223932.
UNASSIGNED: DERR1-10.2196/49849.

BACKGROUND: There is currently a high demand for bereavement support coupled with inconclusive findings as to the efficacy of existing approaches. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to improve human functioning and has shown efficacy across a wide range of conditions. ACT may be a promising means of supporting bereaved people, yet evidence on the use of ACT for bereavement support is lacking. The aim of this study is to explore how ACT is currently used for bereavement support and practitioner perspectives of how it helps following bereavement.
METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted online via MS Teams with practitioners experienced in using ACT for bereavement support. Data were analysed thematically guided by a framework approach.
RESULTS: Nine participants were recruited. Three themes were identified: (i) creating psychological space around grief; (ii) using psychological space for value-directed action in the midst of grieving, and (iii) adapting ACT for bereavement support. Practitioners indicated that ACT improves clients\' relationship with distressing internal experiences. Metaphors and mindfulness techniques were used to encourage acceptance of grief responses, taking perspective on distressing thoughts and images, and contact with the present moment. Better relationships with distressing experiences were regarded as less psychologically taxing, improving coping and well-being, while providing the psychological space to engage in value-directed action. Values exploration, sometimes using metaphors and exercises, was seen as supporting the bereaved person to rediscover a sense of purpose and engage in meaningful activities alongside their grief. Practitioners used ACT flexibly, integrating other interventions, and adapted ACT to the perceived sensitivities of bereaved people, and age-related and developmental factors.
CONCLUSIONS: ACT is used to support people who have been bereaved to live effectively with the difficult thoughts and feelings associated with grieving and to enable them to gradually identify, reconnect with, and act in line with their values after loss.

UNASSIGNED: Asthma is a common disease that has a significant influence on patients\' quality of life. Although Arabic tools for assessing symptom control and quality of life in individuals with asthma are available, no sufficient studies have evaluated the validity of these tools. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to validate the Arabic version of these tools.
UNASSIGNED: Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were conducted on the Arabic versions of the Asthma Control Test (ACT) and Mini Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (Mini AQLQ).
UNASSIGNED: A total of 314 participants (70.1 % females) were enrolled in the current study. The mean age of the participants was 51.47 (±16.37). EFA suggested a three-factor model for Mini AQLQ and a one-factor model for ACT, which was confirmed by CFA analyses. High correlations were found between spirometric values and ACT and Mini AQLQ scores, indicating good concurrent validity. The area under the curve produced by the Roc curve was 0.861 (p < 0.001), and the most suitable cut-off point was 4.741.
UNASSIGNED: All analyses conducted showed that the Arabic versions of both Mini AQLQ and ACT are reliable and valid and can be administered to adults with asthma. The application of these validated instruments will improve the management and diagnosis of asthma in Arab countries.

Self-directed bibliotherapy interventions can be effective means of psychological support for individuals with cancer, yet mixed findings as to the efficacy of these interventions indicate the need for further research. We investigated the experience of individuals with cancer after using a new self-help book, based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Ten participants with cancer (nine females and one male, 40-89 years old) were given access to a bibliotherapy self-help ACT-based book and participated in post-intervention semi-structured interviews. Five themes were generated from reflexive thematic analysis: (1) The value of bibliotherapy (2) Timing is important (3) Resonating with cancer experiences (4) Tools of the book (5) ACT in action. The book was found to be acceptable (self-directed, accessible, understandable content, good responsiveness to exercises) and feasible (easy to use, ACT-consistent). Although not explicitly evaluated, participants\' reports indicated defusion, present moment awareness, and consideration of values, as the ACT processes that contributed to adjustment, via helping them to regain control over their lives and become more present within the moment. Findings also indicate that the intervention may be best accessed following completion of initial medical treatment.