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Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Chronic Low Back Pain and Comorbid Depression: A Single-Case Study with Idiographic Network Analysis

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This study analyzed the efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in six individuals with chronic low back pain plus depressive symptoms using an idiographic approach within a randomized controlled trial. Daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) and full assessments at baseline, posttreatment, and follow-up were collected. Outcomes included pain interference, pain intensity, and depressed mood, and the process variable was psychological inflexibility. Analyses involved visual inspection, non-overlap of all pairs, Tau, Tau-U, and idiographic network analysis. Moderate improvements were observed in pain interference (5/6), depressed mood (5/6), and psychological inflexibility (3/6), with limited change in pain intensity (1/6). Most participants (4/6) reported an overall relevant improvement. Idiographic networks showed considerable variability across participants, with psychological inflexibility and depressed mood playing a central role. Findings suggest ACT may help reduce pain interference and depressed mood, highlighting the need for personalized approaches and the continued use of single-case methods combined with EMA.

Source: International Journal of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

DOI: 10.1007/s41811-025-00268-x