Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Cortisol Levels and Psychological Distress in Patients with Asthma

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on cortisol levels and psychological distress in patients with asthma.

Methods and Materials: The research design was quasi-experimental, with pre-test and post-test and a control group. The statistical population consisted of all asthma patients who sought treatment and disease management at healthcare centers in Tehran between April and July 2024. A total of 90 patients were selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to three groups: the CBT group (30 individuals), the ACT group (30 individuals), and the control group (30 individuals). The data collection tools included salivary cortisol measured through the spitting method and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2003). The intervention therapies were conducted in 8 weekly sessions of 90 minutes each, while the control group did not receive any specific treatment during this period. Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA).

Findings: The results indicated that both CBT and ACT were effective in reducing cortisol levels and psychological distress in patients with asthma (P < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in the effectiveness of the two therapeutic approaches (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: These findings potentially have important practical implications for professionals and therapists in considering the effectiveness of these therapeutic methods in improving asthma outcomes.