Comparison of the Effectiveness of Life Therapy (LT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Distress Tolerance and Zest for Life in Patients with Leukemia

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to compare the effectiveness of Life Therapy with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on distress tolerance and zest for life in patients with leukemia.

Methods and Materials: The present research is an experimental study. The statistical population consists of all male patients referred to Imam Hospital in Sari in 2023, who had received a confirmed diagnosis of leukemia. From this population, 45 leukemia patients were selected through non-random convenience sampling and randomly assigned into two experimental groups (Life Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) and one control group (15 individuals in each group). Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) by Simons and Gaher and the Hasan Zadeh Life Enthusiasm Questionnaire (HLEQ). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS25 statistical software.

Findings: The results of the study showed that both Life Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy were effective in improving distress tolerance and zest for life in patients with leukemia.

Conclusion: The focus of Life Therapy on creating motivation and meaning in an individual's present life, more than the emphasis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on accepting the current situation, has allowed patients to better tolerate the distress caused by leukemia. Therefore, it can be concluded that Life Therapy, due to its focus on living in the moment and experiencing positive emotions, has a greater impact on improving distress tolerance and increasing resilience in patients with leukemia compared to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Additionally, the findings suggest that Life Therapy, by emphasizing the enjoyment of life moments, is more effective in enhancing zest for life and positive emotions in leukemia patients compared to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.