Comparing the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy and mindfulness on negative perfectionism and mental exhaustion in women with autoimmune disease

Abstract

Background: Living with a chronic illness such as an autoimmune disease can also result in higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. The main goal of this research was to explore the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and mindfulness therapy on women with autoimmune diseases in terms of reducing negative perfectionism and mental fatigue.

Methods: The current study utilized a semi-experimental design with a pre-test, post-test, and three-month follow-up. The target population for this research comprised all women with autoimmune disease from August to November 2023, in Tehran, Iran. The sample consisted of 54 women with autoimmune diseases. The ACT group received eleven 90-minute sessions twice a week, and the MBCT group attended eight 90-minute sessions twice a week. The researchers employed the Positive and Negative Perfectionism Scale (PNP) and the Mental Fatigue Inventory. Statistical analysis of the data was conducted using MANCOVA test in the SPSS software.

Results: There were noteworthy variations in the negative perfectionism and mental fatigue variables among the research groups (P < 0.001). Additionally, a substantial distinction was observed in the average mental fatigue levels across the pre-test, post-test, and follow-up stages (P < 0.001). Furthermore, there was no significant dissimilarity in the negative perfectionism variable between the ACT and MBCT groups (P = 0.429).

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, both methods were effective in helping women with an autoimmune disease to manage negative perfectionism and decrease mental fatigue.