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Volume 26, Issue 3 (Summer 2020)                   Intern Med Today 2020, 26(3): 276-297 | Back to browse issues page


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Shahabi A, Ehteshamzadeh P, Asgari P, Makvandi B. Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Guided Imagery on the Resilience of Cardiac Disease Patients Referring to the Heart Rehabilitation Department. Intern Med Today 2020; 26 (3) :276-297
URL: http://imtj.gmu.ac.ir/article-1-3335-en.html
1- Department of Health Psychology, Khorramshahr -Persian Gulf International Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramshahr, Iran.
2- Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran. , ehtesham@iauahvaz.ac.ir
3- Department of Psychology, Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahvaz, Iran.
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1. Introduction

Chronic diseases are among the most common causes of death in the world. They persist for a long time and affect a person’s normal functions. Chronic disease is a serious health challenge that lasts for at least three months and requires hospitalization, home care, and medical care. Cardiac disease is among chronic diseases, which is the most common cause of death and is an important factor for disability and premature death [2].

Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common diseases in developed countries and is increasing rapidly in developing countries [3]. According to the latest study by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of Iran, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the country accounting for 378 deaths daily in Iran. It is estimated that by 2020, a total of 25 million people will die each year due to cardiac disease [3].

Psychological factors, such as defense mechanisms and maladaptive coping methods, stress, anxiety, depression, temperamental and communication disorders, aggression, generalized anxiety disorder, interpersonal hostility, obsessive-compulsive thoughts and behaviors, phobia, personality traits, and different types of psychological injuries play a role in both development and aggravation of cardiac disease [4].

Heart failure causes many symptoms leading to patients’ intolerance to several activities and changes in their lifestyle, which affect their tolerance and resilience [5]. Resilience is the ability of a person to adapt successfully to life-threatening conditions and stressors and is a form of self-healing that has positive emotional, affective, and cognitive results [6, 7]. Resilience does not simply mean that an individual is resilient to harm or threatening conditions, but he must actively and constructively participate in the environment [8]. People with high resilience have a lower level of avoidance and cope with the pain and suffering, and do not consider their disease to be catastrophic [9, 10].

Resilience has attracted the attention of many researchers over the past ten years. This factor is one of the psychological characteristics that is very important in health [11]. Resilient people are dynamic and flexible to deal with living conditions [6]. Psychological resilience is defined as the ability to overcome difficulties and life situations. From Newman’s point of view, psychological resilience has been mentioned as the ability to adapt to adversity. Resilience is not only increasing a person’s tolerance and adaptability to dealing with a problem but also considers maintaining mental health and promoting it [12].

Werner considers resiliency as a factor to change the negative consequences positively and maintain good health. In terms of the consequences of resilience, Jokar et al. in their research showed that resilience predicts a significant level of mental health and satisfaction. That is, increasing resilience leads to a reduction in emotional problems and stress, resulting in an increase in the level of an individual’s satisfaction [13].

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is one of the newest therapies for third-wave psychology, which its effectiveness has been confirmed in many chronic diseases. ACT is a form of clinical psychology and is committed to providing scientific treatment methods [14]. ACT does not cause a direct change in clients, but it helps them connect with their experiences in different ways and be able to fully engage with a meaningful, value-based life. ACT is rooted in a philosophical theory called functional contextualism and is based on the Relational Frame Theory (RFT), which is a research program on language and cognition [15].

The goal of this treatment is to increase psychological and behavioral flexibility in areas where Experiential Avoidance (EA) prevails and deprives the individual of basic life. Psychological flexibility increases a person’s ability to choose an action that is more appropriate among various options. It is also the ability to fully communicate with the present and change or maintain the behavior to achieve valuable and important life goals [16]. Psychological flexibility in the ACT is achieved through six main processes: acceptance, detachment, self as context, being present, valuing, and committed action [17].

Recent studies on ACT have shown its efffectiveness for the treatment of depression [18], post-traumatic stress disorder [19], panic disorder [20], chronic pain [8], obsessive-compulsive disorder [23], breast cancer [24], multiple sclerosis [25], diabetes [26, 27], abnormal grief [28], and reducing job stress [22].

Hoffman et al. found that multiple therapeutic approaches, such as psychological interventions, had far shorter and longer-term effects on pain and improved daily and occupational functioning in individuals [29]. By examining acceptance-based interventions, such as ACT in patients with chronic pain, Viehoff et al. reported that although the above-mentioned new approaches were not more effective than the cognitive-behavioral approach, they were relatively effective and could be considered as alternative therapies [30]. Regarding the effectiveness of ACT in patients with chronic pain, Wells and McCracken showed that after implementing the treatment plan, factors, such as the level of the pain experience, depression, anxiety, disability, handicap, job status, and physical function significantly improved in patients compared with the pre-treatment stage [31]. Regarding the role of ACT in reducing the depression of type 2 diabetic patients, Hor et al. examined 30 patients and showed that this therapeutic method was effective in reducing their depression with a stable effect in the follow-up period [32].

The Guided Subjective Imagery (GSI) is another treatment for chronic diseases. GSI, as a mind-body technique, is based on the idea that mind and body are interconnected and can affect and strengthen each other in the treatment of diseases and creating health. Imaging activates the same area of the brain that is activated during the experience of a real event; that is, the individual creates precisely a stream of thought, in which he/she can see, hear, feel, or smell what he/she desires to feel at that time and also to visualize it in his/her imagination. In addition, guided imagery is a strategy that creates a sense of power and relaxation by emphasizing and use of images, landscapes, sounds, music, and words. In imaging, people are encouraged to take deep abdominal and diaphragmatic breaths, and then release the muscles and imagine landscapes, such as forests, the beach, and holy places, and pay attention to the surrounding sounds and smells. Studies have shown that focusing on visualization and positive thinking can lead to comfort and mood balance. Visualization reduces pain, tension, anxiety, and depression by creating a competitive focus and increases the feeling of well-being [35]. 

Saedi and Abolghasemi showed that mental imaging and gradual stress relief, along with biofeedback, are more effective and stable than drug therapy in reducing migraine headaches. It has shown that visualization is a pain management technique for the treatment of arthritis, fibromyalgia, cancer, headaches, acute coronary heart syndrome [28], acute and chronic pain, and other medical conditions [36]. In a study conducted to investigate the effect of sedation methods on the anxiety of patients with a heart attack in Tehran, the results showed that all three methods of indoctrination, visualization and speaking were effective in reducing patients’ anxiety, but speaking was more effective than the others [37]. In another study aimed at implementing a guided imagery program for patients undergoing heart surgery and its effects on anxiety levels, pain, duration of disease, hospital costs, and patient satisfaction, guided imagery reduced all these factors [28].

this research was conducted due to the increasing number of people with cardiovascular diseases and postoperative complications or other interventions, as well as considering the importance of psychological issues in the rehabilitation of these patients and the development of effective psychological therapies in chronic diseases, such as cardiac disease. We used two psychological therapies: 1. “ACT” that has contributed to the increased cognitive flexibility, tolerance, and resilience, and is helpful to improve the lives of these patients; 2. “guided imagery” that has had positive and significant effects on anxiety, pain, duration of illness, and hospital costs for chronic diseases. These two methods should be compared to better understand the effectiveness of them. No study has yet examined the effectiveness of ACT and guided imagery methods on the resilience of cardiovascular patients. Therefore, in this study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of ACT and guided imagery on the resilience of cardiac patients referring to the cardiac rehabilitation department and comparing these two methods. 

2. Materials and Methods

This clinical trial (IRCT20190727044345N1) with Pre-test-Post-test design and follow-up and a control group was performed on cardiovascular patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation department of Imam Reza Hospital, Mashhad in 2018. Samples were selected by the availability sampling method and random drawing and assigned to three groups (two experimental and one control). According to Borg et al. 15 people are sufficient for the sample size in each group in experimental and semi-experimental studies [38]. Based on a clinical interview, 45 cardiovascular patients were selected using the DSM-V criteria. Inclusion criteria were hospital admission for a heart problem in the cardiac rehabilitation department, consent of the patient to participate in the research, minimum literacy (secondary school) to understand the concepts of the treatment, the age range of 35 - 75 years, lack of other physical diseases, lack of severe mental illness, neurological disorders, such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease, drug and alcohol addiction, and the approval of the treating physician on the feasibility of the patient’s participation in the study. Exclusion criteria were the patient’s dissatisfaction with continuing the research, concomitant use of psychedelics, arrhythmia and initiation of treatment, and conducting cardiopulmonary resuscitation during the intervention.

The research protocol was approved by the university’s Ethics Committee, registered at the Iranian Clinical Trial Database, and obtained permission from the officials of Imam Reza Hospital. The patients signed the informed consent form and were explained about the purpose of the study. After obtaining written consent, the demographic information form and the Connor-Davidson resilience questionnaire were completed. The intervention for the guided imagery group (10 sessions) was performed using the Nozari training package (quoted by Alifar and Nokani, 2013) [39]. Patients received two 45-min sessions per week (4 initial sessions on negative beliefs, thoughts, and ideas) and in the next 6 sessions (between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m.) in the cardiac rehabilitation department using a laptop and an audio player, they listened to a mental imagery file prepared by the researcher. To control the interfering factors and to use the audio file accurately, the researcher attended all the meetings. The intervention for the ACT group (8 sessions) was performed using the Hayes and Strosahl (2002) treatment package, quoted by Khamseh (2017) [40]. 

The patients were trained two sessions a week for 60 min (8 to 9 a.m.) by the researcher. The control group did not receive any treatment. They only did the exercises of the rehabilitation department under the supervision of the treating physician, and at the end of the sessions, they only completed the resilience questionnaire again. All sessions were performed in groups and only two participants were unable to attend 2 sessions due to their physical condition; therefore, four individual sessions were performed for them. It should be noted that these two subjects were in the ACT experimental group. The data collection tools in this study were as follows (Table 1 & Table 2).





 

Personal data sheet

The personal data sheet was used to collect the test subjects’ information regularly, including age, gender, education, marital status, history of cardiac surgery, the time of the first arrhythmia, used medications, treating physician, treatment received, and duration of the disease.

Connor-Davidson Resilience Scales

The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) is a 25-item tool that measures the construct of resilience on a 5-point Likert scale from zero to four. The minimum resilience score on this scale is zero and the maximum score is 100. The results of a preliminary study on the psychometric properties of this scale confirmed its reliability and validity. According to the reports, internal consistency, retest reliability, and convergent and divergent validity of the scale were appropriate [40]. The psychometric properties of the CD-RISC (in the Persian language) have been investigated and confirmed in several studies conducted between 2005 and 2010 on patients (n=275) and normal (n=1123) samples [41]. In these studies, Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of each subscale ranged from 0.73 to 0.91 and from 0.81 to 0.93 for the whole scale.

Data were analyzed using SPSS V. 23 software and Levene’s test (to ensure homogeneity of the variances), Kolmogorov -Smirnov test (to ensure normality of the data), repeated measures ANCOVA (to measure the resilience), and Bonferroni post-hoc test (to compare the effectiveness of the two intervention methods).

3. Results

In the present study, the mean age of the ACT, GSI, and control groups were 54.07±7.01, 55±9.47, and 57.93 ± 8.63 years, respectively. The gender frequency of the subjects was as follows: ACT group (8 males, 53.3%, and 7 females, 46.7%), GSI group (14 males, 93.3%, and 1 female, 6.7%), and the control group (12 males, 80% and 3 females, 20%). In all three groups, the highest level of education was diploma: ACT group (8 people, 53.3%), GSI group (5 people, 33.3%), and control group (11 people, 73.3%). The marital status of these three groups was as follows: ACT group (12 married people, 80%; one widow, 6.7%; and 2 single, 13.3%), GSI group (12 married, 80%; and 2 divorced, 20%), control group (10 married, 66.7%; two single, 13.3%; and 3 widows, 20%).

The results of Table 3 showed that the mean resilience score in the experimental groups (ACT and GSI) and the control group in three stages was significantly different.


 

According to the results of the Box’s M test to check the equality of covariance matrices and considering the value of F, the null hypothesis was rejected; that is, the covariance matrices observed between different groups were equal (Box’s M=19.49, F=1.45, P<0.01). Also, based on the Levene’s test results on the equality of error variances, the assumption of the equality of variances was confirmed and the error variance of the dependent variables in all groups was equal (F=0.35, 0.21, 0.63). Mauchly’s sphericity test also showed that the compound symmetry was acceptable. In other words, there was a significant difference between resilience scores (of pre-test, post-test, and follow-up) among the ACT, GSI, and control groups (P<0.001). These results indicate the effectiveness of the ACT and guided imagery on the resilience of cardiac patients. Also, the higher resilience score in the ACT experimental group compared with the GSI group indicates greater effectiveness of this treatment. Therefore, the resilience level of cardiac patients participating in these two therapeutic groups increased significantly (Table 4).


 

The results of the Bonferroni post-hoc test showed that the scores of the resilience variable in both experimental groups in the post-test stage increased significantly compared with the control group. In other words, the ACT had a greater effect on increasing the resilience level of cardiac patients in post-test and follow-up (34.26, 34.13) than the guided imagery (28.13, 25.06). This means that changes in the ACT experimental group were more effective and sustainable. Also, the eta-squared values indicated greater effectiveness of ACT treatment than GSI (Table 5).


 

4. Discussion

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of the ACT and guided imagery methods on the resilience of cardiac patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation department in Mashhad City. The results of the study showed that ACT-based intervention was effective in increasing the resilience level of cardiac patients.

Our results were compatible with the research of Molina et al. [42], Ghorbani et al. [43], Qomian and Shayeri [44], Rahimian Booger [45], Saeed Nouri, Akbari and Salari [12], Besharat and Ramesh [41], Momeni et al. [46], Fazeli Kebria et al. [47], Doostdar Tusi and Golshani [48]. 

Regarding the effectiveness of the ACT, it should be noted that this type of therapy aimed at making patients informed how to get rid of mind control strategies, how do not mingle with annoying thoughts, and how to tolerate more unpleasant emotions, such as anxiety. In fact, the use of detachment and acceptance techniques reduced the severity of these situations for the patients, and although this treatment did not directly improve the condition of the cardiac patients, according to Forbes, reduced the anxiety of stressful situations by using detachment and acceptance techniques, led to increased resilience [54]. In other words, ACT, in the first place, allows patients to change relationships with their inner experiences, reduce experiential avoidance, increase flexibility, and take more action in valuable paths. The results of Barros’ research showed that ACT led to greater adherence to values and improved quality of life and satisfaction. Also, Goodwin et al. showed that behavioral therapy based on ACT effectively and significantly improved the quality of life of chronic cardiovascular patients and their adherence to positive life changes [55]. In the ACT, behavioral commitment exercises along with detachment and acceptance techniques, as well as detailed discussions about one’s values and goals and the need to clarify values, led to the regulation of emotions and increased resilience and better perception of the disease. By substituting themselves as the context, clients were able to easily experience unpleasant inner events in the present and were able to detach themselves from unpleasant reactions, memories, and thoughts [25]. 

Pursuing valuable goals in life and commitment to achieve these goals can lead to improved performance and reduced psychological distress in the clients [56]. ACT puts emphasis on accepting as many unpleasant feelings as possible, concentrating on the present moment, and engaging in activities that are in line with personal values related to behavioral goals [14]. Also, cardiac patients feel death more than ever before. This treatment helps the patient to deal with stressful situations by increasing mindfulness, cognitive distancing (observation of thoughts), active involvement in the outside world, and striving to achieve a meaningful and genuine life to increase psychological resilience [25].

The results also showed that guided imagery was effective in increasing the resilience level of cardiac patients, which is consistent with the results of Hollier et al. [52], Menzies et al. [53], Penzien et al. [54], and Abdoli et al. [55].

In explaining the effectiveness of guided imagery therapy, it can be said that mental image is the main theme of human personality and behavior. A change in the mental image can change a person’s personality and behavior. All our actions, feelings, behaviors, and even abilities are shaped by this mental image [57]. Dibbets and Arentz believe that techniques, such as mental rotation, mental screening, muscle relaxation, and cognitive retrieval are skills that not only target a particular subject, image, and thought but also by replacing positive mental thoughts and images with negative thoughts and images, they play an important role in increasing psychological well-being, resilience, and quality of life, as well as reducing internal conflict. Some theories suggest that positive mental imagery weakens the hormonal and psychoneuroimmunological pathways that affect stress responses. According to the gate control theory, only one impulse can travel from the spinal cord to the brain at the same time, and if this pathway is occupied by the imagination, the sensation of pain cannot go to the brain; therefore, the pain is reduced [58]. In this regard, Motahhari et al. consider mental imaging as a factor in improving the activity of patients with multiple sclerosis [59]. Guided mental imagery is effective in diverting the patient’s mind from annoying stimuli, creating relaxation, affecting the patient’s mood, and increasing resilience.

The greater effectiveness of ACT than guided imagery is explained by the fact that in guided imagery, more emphasis is placed on changing mental images in the direction of recovery, while in the ACT the emphasis is on disease acceptance, commitment to disease acceptance, and reassessment of goals. In this treatment, the main issue is the active and conscious acceptance of unpleasant life experiences. The patient can learn how to eagerly deal with his/her emotions, memories, physical feelings, and thoughts, how to avoid physical and psychological problems, and have a more active role in his/her life. Given that the problems and limitations caused by the disease cause patients to ignore their values; therefore, this method informs them about their usual solutions, sets goals for them, and motivates them to face more obstacles. In general, the goal of this type of treatment is to perform practical exercises and increase psychological flexibility, acceptance, cognitive defusion, and mindfulness. By doing these exercises, the patients get rid of the unpleasant experiences of the past, and by changing the reassessment of the current situation, their adaptation increases and their resilience improves. 

Considering the effectiveness of ACT-based group therapy in improving cardiac patients, to generalize the results, it is recommended that this treatment be used as selective and complementary psychotherapy along with providing medical and pharmacological treatment to reduce psychological symptoms of cardiac patients and improve their living standards. It is also recommended that this method be used for the treatment of psychological disorders of other chronic patients and clinical disorders in different age and cultural groups, and the results be compared with drug therapy, either individually or in groups. Third, in the clinical context of cardiac patients, resilience components and coping strategies should be taught so that the affected patients can overcome the problems and pain caused by this disease. Fourth, in the implementation of treatment protocols, especially ACT, local allegories and metaphors should be used in accordance with the culture of the region.

5. Conclusion

Since the cardiac disease is one of the most common diseases in today’s society and has psychological backgrounds; thus, according to the results of this study, psychological interventions, such as the ACT and guided imagery can significantly increase the resilience of cardiac patients and improve their physical and mental condition. This type of treatment is an effective non-pharmacological method in the psychological management of this disease and it is necessary to be considered as an effective treatment along with drug therapy. By recognizing their feelings and emotions, clients can continue their valuable cognitive and behavioral activities away from the exaggerated evaluation of their inner experiences. At the same time, they can reduce their stress levels, leading to an increase in their quality of life.

Ethical Considerations

Compliance with ethical guidelines

This paper approved by Ahvaz Branch, Islamic Azad University Ethics Committee Code: IR.IAU.AHVAZ.REC.1398.012). The study also has been registered in the Clinical Trial Registration Center of Iran on 06/26/2009 (Code: Number IRCT20190727044345N1). Also, this research has obtained legal permissions from the director of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad. Training sessions were held to inform participants of the way of conducting the research and to keep personal and related information confidential, to allow them to leave research whenever they wished. A written consent obtain from participants. They were given questionnaires before treatment intervention, and participants' rights were explained for them. 

Funding

This article is part of a PhD. dissertation of the first author entitled “Comparison of the Effectiveness of ACT and Guided Imagery on Disease Perception, Resilience, and Emotional Regulation (Positive and Negative) of Cardiac Patients Referred to the Cardiac Rehabilitation Department” approved by the Persian Gulf International, Khorramshahr-Khalije Fars Branch, Islamic Azad University, Khorramshahr, Iran.

Authors' contributions

Final compilation: All authors; Research design, data collection, writing the initial version, final review: Abbas Ali Shahabi; Main idea, writing the original edition, final review: Parvin Ehteshamzadeh; Interpreting data, writing the original version, final review: Parviz Asgari; Interpreting data, writing the original edition, final review: Behnam Makvandi.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all the patients and the staff of Imam Reza Hospital in Mashhad City (cardiac rehabilitation department) for their cooperation in this research.

 

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Type of Study: Original | Subject: Mental Health
Received: 2019/06/27 | Accepted: 2020/02/15 | Published: 2020/06/21

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