The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Improving Quality of Life among Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors
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Authors
Lyon, Lauren C.
Issue Date
2010
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Every year, approximately 1. 7 million Americans sustain a traumatic brain injury
(TBI). The individuals who survive these injuries suffer from a wide range of deficits and
impairments that are notoriously difficult to both assess and treat. This study aims to
determine a more effective means of improving the overall quality of life for an
individual that sustains a TBI. A new mindfulness-based, cognitive-behavioral therapy
called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to improve quality
of life for a variety of populations. We introduced 12 weeks of ACT to a group of20
participants recruited from Ann Arbor Rehabilitation Centers Inc. (AARC) who had
experienced a TBI 2-10 years prior. A second treatment group consisting of 20
participants 2-10 years post-injury was also recruited from AARC and received a
different mindfulness-based therapy called mindfulness based stress-: reduction (MBSR).
A third group of 20 participants was similarly recruited to serve as the control which
received only treatment as usual (TAU). Quality of life was measured both pre- and postintervention
using 5 different tests/questionnaires. Questionnaires both directly and
indirectly measured aspects indicative of quality of life. We hypothesized that ACT
would prove superior in improving quality of life for TBI individuals over not only TAU,
but also over an MBSR approach, due to the ACT model's unique applicability to the
symptoms this population commonly suffers from. We hope these findings will both
provide TBI rehabilitation clinicians with an effective alternate method for treatment as
well as encourage the necessity for further research in the area of TBI rehabilitation
techniques.
Description
iv, 33 p.
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License
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