Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Physiological Measures in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

Background and Aim:This systematic review and meta-analysis summarized the studies that evaluated the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on biological measures in Iranians with type 2 diabetes. In addition, the study determined the combined effect size of the varying effect sizes observed in various studies.Materials and Methods:A systematic search of Iranian scientific databases, including insane.ir, Magiran, SID, Noormags, and ISC, from 2013 to 2023, retrieved randomized controlled trials that evaluated the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on biological measures in type 2 diabetes. The study was conducted based on the main PRISMA reporting guideline (the PRISMA 2020 statement), and a meta-analysis report was generated by reviewing the studies that met the inclusion criteria.Results:Among the 26 studies, 10 were deemed suitable for inclusion based on the PRISMA statement, while the remaining 16 were excluded. The effect size of acceptance and commitment therapy on the biological markers in type 2 diabetes was 0.767, indicating a significant effect. The average effect sizes for fasting blood glucose (FBS), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2HPP), and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were 0.798, 0.586, and 0.711, respectively. These effect sizes suggest a significant effect for FBS, a relatively strong impact for 2HPP, and a strong effect for HbA1c.Conclusion:Acceptance and commitment therapy significantly improve the biological measures of patients with type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, its impact on FBS and HbA1c indices exceeds that of HPP2.