ACT protocol to reduce symptoms associated with anxiety: A review of the literature

With the significant impact of anxiety and stress comes an increasing need for therapies that reduce the associated symptoms. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), a third-wave therapy rooted in applied behavior analysis (ABA) and relational frame theory, shows great promise as an effective approach to reduce anxiety and stress related symptoms and increase quality of life. The aim of this literature review paper was to answer the following questions: (a) is ACT an effective method for reducing symptoms associated with stress and anxiety? (b) does ACT hold high social validity? (c) can we justify the reliability of the data produced by self-reported outcomes? (d) what are the future directions and implications of using ACT to address anxiety and stress? (e) does ACT hold the status as an evidence-based practice? The 12 studies selected for this review represent varying presentations of anxiety and stress that span across the lifespan. The reviewed research concluded that 1-10 sessions of ACT based protocol can be effective in decreasing various symptoms associated with stress and anxiety, most with long-lasting effects. Future directions of the science of behavior that address the significant impact of the covert symptoms associated with anxiety and stress could be a big milestone for the field and might led to a broader application of ABA that also targets covert behaviors.