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Volume 28, Issue 1 (Spring 2026)
Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2026, 28(1): 90-103 |
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Modaber Vahed A S, Ebrahimi M I, Yazdi-Ravandi S, Jadidian A A. Comparing the effectiveness of compassion-focused acceptance and commitment group therapy and reality group therapy on cognitive flexibility and depression in women with multiple sclerosis. Advances in Cognitive Sciences 2026; 28 (1) :90-103
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1878-en.html
URL: http://icssjournal.ir/article-1-1878-en.html
Afsaneh Sadat Modaber Vahed1 
, Mohammad Ismail Ebrahimi *2 , Saeid Yazdi-Ravandi3 , Ahmad Ali Jadidian4
, Mohammad Ismail Ebrahimi *2 , Saeid Yazdi-Ravandi3 , Ahmad Ali Jadidian4
1- PhD Student of Psychology, Department of Psychology, Sa.C., Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
3- Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Kangavar, Iran
2- Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Ha.C., Islamic Azad University, Hamedan, Iran
3- Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology, Behavioral Disorders and Substance Abuse Research Center, Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Ka.C., Islamic Azad University, Kangavar, Iran
Abstract: (448 Views)
Introduction: Given the prevalence of psychological disorders, specifically depression and deficits in cognitive flexibility in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), this study compared the effectiveness of compassion-focused acceptance and commitment group therapy and group reality therapy on cognitive flexibility and depression in women with MS.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The study population consisted of married women aged 20 to 60 years with MS in Hamedan Province, Iran; 54 people were randomly selected into three groups of 18 people using a purposive method. Compassion-focused acceptance and commitment therapy was performed according to the Hayes (2004) intervention, and group reality therapy according to the Wubbolding intervention (2013). The research tools included the cognitive flexibility questionnaires of Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) and the Beck et al. (1961) depression. questionnaire
Results: The results revealed that compassion-focused acceptance and commitment group therapy and reality therapy group had an effect on cognitive flexibility (F=9.748, P<0.001) and depression (F=5.011, P<0.01) in women with MS, and in terms of depression, there was a significant difference between compassion-focused acceptance and commitment therapy and reality therapy (P=0.028).
Conclusion: Both group-based interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy focused on compassion and reality therapy, significantly reduced depression and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Additionally, in the context of depression, reality therapy performed better than acceptance and commitment therapy focused on compassion. Therefore, it is suggested that these interventions be used in medical centers and relevant associations to improve patients’ symptoms.
Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test design and follow-up with a control group. The study population consisted of married women aged 20 to 60 years with MS in Hamedan Province, Iran; 54 people were randomly selected into three groups of 18 people using a purposive method. Compassion-focused acceptance and commitment therapy was performed according to the Hayes (2004) intervention, and group reality therapy according to the Wubbolding intervention (2013). The research tools included the cognitive flexibility questionnaires of Dennis and Vander Wal (2010) and the Beck et al. (1961) depression. questionnaire
Results: The results revealed that compassion-focused acceptance and commitment group therapy and reality therapy group had an effect on cognitive flexibility (F=9.748, P<0.001) and depression (F=5.011, P<0.01) in women with MS, and in terms of depression, there was a significant difference between compassion-focused acceptance and commitment therapy and reality therapy (P=0.028).
Conclusion: Both group-based interventions, acceptance and commitment therapy focused on compassion and reality therapy, significantly reduced depression and cognitive flexibility, respectively. Additionally, in the context of depression, reality therapy performed better than acceptance and commitment therapy focused on compassion. Therefore, it is suggested that these interventions be used in medical centers and relevant associations to improve patients’ symptoms.
Keywords: Acceptance and commitment therapy focused on compassion, Reality therapy, Cognitive flexibility, Depression, Multiple sclerosis
Type of Study: Research |
Received: 2025/12/29 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/09/8
Received: 2025/12/29 | Accepted: 2026/09/8 | Published: 2026/09/8
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