The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy on Cognitive Fusion, Mindfulness, and Body Mass Index in Women with Obesity

Abstract

Objective: Obesity is a complex chronic metabolic disease characterized by excessive body fat accumulation, resulting from an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment group therapy on cognitive fusion, mindfulness, and body mass index in individuals with obesity.

Methods and Materials: This quasi-experimental research was conducted using a pre-test and post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included all women who visited a beauty clinic in West Tehran during the first six months of 2020. Sampling was done through convenience sampling. Out of the women who visited the beauty clinic, 40 were selected. The Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire by Gillanders et al. and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire were administered to the participants. The subjects were then randomly assigned to an experimental group and a control group. The experimental group received 12 sessions of 120-minute acceptance and commitment therapy. Post-tests were administered to both the experimental and control groups after the intervention.

Findings: The results indicated that acceptance and commitment therapy was effective in reducing cognitive fusion and increasing mindfulness in individuals with obesity (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Given the confirmed effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy in treating obesity, it is recommended that therapists consider this therapy to improve cognitive fusion and mindfulness in overweight individuals.