ACT Randomized Controlled Trials (Substance Abuse and Smoking)

Click here for the full list of ACT RCTs

Ghaemi, A., Ahadi, H., & Tajeri, B. (2024). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy on Resilience in Employed and Unemployed Substance-Dependent Individuals in Recovery. Quarterly Journal of Research on Addiction, 18(73), 55-78. DOI: 10.61186/etiadpajohi.18.73.55

Schmitz, J. M., Stotts, A. L., Vujanovic, A. A., Yoon, J. H., Webber, H. E., Lane, S. D., ... & Green, C. E. (2024). Contingency Management plus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Initial Cocaine Abstinence: Results of a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART). Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 256, 111078. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111078

Heffner, J.L., Kelly, M.M., Reilly, E.D., Reece, S.G., Claudio, T., Serfozo, E., Baker, K., Watson, N.L., & Karekla, M. (2023). An Avatar-Led Web-Based and SMS Text Message Smoking Cessation Program for Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Veterans: Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Formative Research, 7, e44503. DOI: 10.2196/44503

Kashefizadeh, M., Taher, M., Khanzadeh, A., Haj Aboutalebi, N. (2023). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing on Distress Tolerance in Men with Substance Abuse Disorder Undergoing Maintenance Therapy. Journal of Modern Psychological Researches, 17(68). DOI: 10.22034/jmpr.2023.15338

Weststrate, T.R., Briggs, C.A., Miller, A., Shuster, A.E., & Gaynor, S.T. (2023). Brief acceptance and commitment therapy added to medication management during acute alcohol detoxification: A pilot randomized controlled effectiveness trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 29, 76-85. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcbs.2023.06.002

Bricker, J. B., Sullivan, B. M., Mull, K. E., Torres, A. J., & Carpenter, K. M. (2022). Full-scale randomized trial comparing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) telephone-delivered coaching with standard telephone-delivered coaching among Medicare/uninsured quitline callers. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 24(10), 1556–1566. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntac052

Hoseininezhad, N., Alborzi, M., & MamSharifi, P. (2022). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral counseling based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for psychological flexibility in drug-abusing mothers. Journal of Psychological Science, 20(107), 2011- 2025. DOI: 10.52547/JPS.20.107.2011

Stotts, A. L., Villarreal, Y. R., Green, C., Berens, P., Blackwell, S., Khan, A., Suchting, R., Velasquez, M., Markham, C., Klawans, M. R., & Northrup, T. F. (2022). Facilitating treatment initiation and reproductive care postpartum to prevent substance-exposed pregnancies: A randomized Bayesian pilot trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 239, 109602. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109602

Chiani, H., Jahangir, P., & Chamani, N. (2021). Evaluation of the effectiveness of commitment-based therapy and acceptance on improving the mental health and emotional difficulty of women in addicted families. Social and Disciplinary Research of Women and Family, 9, 1. Retrieved from http://pssw.jrl.police.ir/article_96066.html

Han, K. & Cho, Y. (2021). The Efficacy of a Cognitive Defusion Intervention for Undergraduate Students at Risk for Smartphone Addiction. Korean Journal of Clinical Psychology, 40(1), 60-72. DOI: 10.15842/kjcp.2021.40.1.005 [Article in Korean]

Mak, Y.-W., Loke, A.-Y., & Leung, D. Y. P. (2021). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy versus Social Support for Smoking Cessation for People with Schizophrenia: A Randomised Controlled Trial. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(19), 4304.

Evli, M. & Şimşek, N . (2021). Effect of acceptance and commitment-based counseling on smoking cessation and quality of life. Cukurova Medical Journal, 46, 677-690. DOI: 10.17826/cumj.837634

Gholizadeh, B., Ghamari Givi, H., & Sadri Damirchi, E. (2021). The Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Cognitive Flexibility and Craving in Substance-Dependent Individuals. Scientific Quarterly Research on Addiction, 15(59), 205-226.
DOI: 10.52547/etiadpajohi.15.59.205 Retrieved from http://etiadpajohi.ir/article-1-2456-en.html

Anthony, C. A., Rojas, E. O., Keffala, V., Glass, N. A., Shah, A. S., Miller, B. J., Hogue, M., Willey, M. C., Karam, M., & Marsh, J. L. (2020). Acceptance and commitment therapy delivered via a mobile phone messaging robot to decrease postoperative opioid use in patients with orthopedic trauma: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 22(7), e17750.

Baghani, Z. N. & Akbari, H. (2020). Investigating the effect of ACT training on self-efficacy and impulse control of addicts. Journal of Advanced Pharmacy Education & Research, 10(S1), 77-88.

Bricker, J. B., Watson, N. L., Mull, K. E., Sullivan, B. M., & Heffner, J.L. (2020). Efficacy of smartphone applications for smoking cessation: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Internal Medicine, 180, 1472-1480. DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.4055

Bricker, J.B., Watson, N.L., Heffner, J.L., Sullivan, B., Mull, K., Kwon, D., Westmaas, J.L., Ostroff, J. (2020). A Smartphone App Designed to Help Cancer Patients Stop Smoking: Results From a Pilot Randomized Trial on Feasibility, Acceptability, and Effectiveness. JMIR Formative Research, 4(1), e16652.
DOI: 10.2196/16652

Gul, M. & Aqeel, M. (2020) Acceptance and commitment therapy for treatment of stigma and shame in substance use disorders: A double-blind, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial. Journal of Substance Use. DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2020.1846803

Ghaleh Emamghaisi, Z. & Hamid Atashpour, S. (2020). Effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on self-criticism and feeling of shame in methamphetamine users. Journal of Substance Use, 25(4), 372-376.
DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1704082

Vowles, K. E., Witkiewitz, K., Cusack, K. J., Gilliam, W. P., Cardon, K. E., Bowen, S., Edwards, K. A., McEntee, M. L., & Bailey, R. W. (2020). Integrated behavioral treatment for veterans with co-morbid chronic pain and hazardous opioid use: A randomized controlled pilot trial. The Journal of Pain, 21, 798-807. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2019.11.007

Mak, Y. W., Leung, D. Y. P., & Loke, A. Y. (2020). Effectiveness of an individual acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation, delivered face-to-face and by telephone to adults recruited in primary health care settings: A randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health, 20, Article 1719. DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09820-0

Ghanbari, H., Toozandejani, H., & Nejat, H. (2020). Comparison of the Effectiveness of ACT and Quality of Life Improvement Training on Distress Tolerance and Self-Destructive Behaviors in Substance Abusers. The International Journal of Basic Science in Medicine, 5(1), 28-32. DOI: 10.34172/ijbsm.2020.07 Retrieved from: http://ijbsm.zbmu.ac.ir/PDF/ijbsm-14400

Karekla, M., Savvides, S. N., & Gloster, A. (2020). An avatar-led intervention promotes smoking cessation in young adults: A pilot randomized clinical trial. Annals of Behavioral Medicine, 54(10), 747-760. DOI: 10.1093/abm/kaaa013

Heffner, J. L., Kelly, M. M., Waxmonsky, J., Mattocks, K., Serfozo, E., Bricker, J. B., Mull, K. E., Watson, N. L., & Ostacher, M. (2020). Pilot randomized controlled trial of web-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy versus Smokefree.gov for smokers with bipolar disorder. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 22(9), 1543-1552. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz242

O'Connor, M., Whelan, R., Bricker, J., & McHugh, L. (2020). Randomized controlled trial of a smartphone application as an adjunct to acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation. Behavior Therapy, 51(1), 162-177. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.06.003

McClure, J. B., Bricker, J., Mull, K., & Heffner, J. L. (2020). Comparative-Effectiveness of Group-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy vs. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 22(3), 354-362. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/nty268

Vilardaga, R., Rizo, J., Palenski, P. E., Mannelli, P., Oliver, J. A., & Mcclernon, F, J. (2020). Pilot randomized controlled trial of a novel smoking cessation app designed for individuals with co-occurring tobacco use disorder and serious mental illness. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 22(9), 1533–1542. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntz202

Kumlerd, S., Haenjohn, J., & Supwirapakorn, W. (2019). Development of problem-solving training program based on acceptance and commitment therapy in adolescents and young adults with amphetamine addiction. The Journal of the Royal Thai Army Nurses, 20(1), 181-187.

Wang, M.P., Luk, T.T., Wu, Y., Li, W.H., Cheung, D.Y., Kwong, A.C.,et al. (2019). Chat-based instant messaging support integrated with brief interventions for smoking cessation: a community-based, pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Digital Health, 1(4), e183 - e192. DOI: 10.1016/S2589-7500(19)30082-2 (Secondary Analysis: Li Y, Luk TT, Cheung YTD, et al. (2024). Engagement With a Mobile Chat-Based Intervention for Smoking Cessation: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Network Open, 7(6), e2417796. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.17796)

Bricker, J. B., Mull, K. E., McClure, J. B., Watson, N. L., & Heffner, J. L. (2018). Improving quit rates of web-delivered interventions for smoking cessation: Full scale randomized trial of WebQuit.org versus Smokefree.gov. Addiction, 113, 914-923. DOI: 10.1111/add.14127

Hemmat, A., Mohammadi Bytamar, J., Pirzeh, R., & Dadashi, M. (2018). The effectiveness of group therapy based on acceptance and commitment to reduce obsessive-compulsive use of substance, anxiety and depression of addicts under methadone treatment. Journal Of Zanjan University Of Medical Sciences And Health Services, 117, 109-125.

Amirian, K., Mami, S. H., & Ahmadi, V. (2018). Comparison of the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and dialectic behavioral therapy (DBT) on behavioral inhibition and behavioral activation on men with substance abuse. Community Health Journal, 11, 86-95.

Hooper, N., Dack, C., Karekla, M., Niyazi, A. & McHugh, L. (2018) Cognitive defusion versus experiential avoidance in the reduction of smoking behaviour: an experimental and preliminary investigation. Addiction Research & Theory, 26(5), 414-420. DOI: 10.1080/16066359.2018.1434156

Amirian, K., Mami, S., Ahmadi, V., & Mohamadzadeh, J. (2018). Effectiveness of group psychotherapy based on acceptance and commitment therapy on difficulties emotion regulation and distress tolerance in substance abusers. Journal of Education and Community Health, 5(2), 56-63.

Dindo, L., Zimmerman, M. B., Hadlandsmyth, K., StMarie, B., Embree, J., Marchman, J., Tripp-Reimer, T., & Rakel, B. (2018). Acceptance and commitment therapy for prevention of chronic post-surgical pain and opioid use in at-risk veterans: A pilot randomized controlled study. The Journal of Pain, 19, 1211-1221. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2018.04.016

Haghighat, S., & Mohammadi, A. (2018). Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and ACT on Reducing Mood Symptoms in Patients with Substance Abuse. The International Clinical Neuroscience Journal, 5(4), 158-163. DOI: 10.15171/icnj.2018.28 Retrieved from: https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/neuroscience/article/view/23395

Rahimi, A., Sohrabi, N., Rezayei, A., & Sarvghad, S. (2018). Comparison of the efficacy cognitive behavioral therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy on signs in stimulants substance users (Methamphetamine). Knowledge & Research in Applied Psychology, 19(3), 79-89. DOI: 10.30486/jsrp.2018.544563

Solgi, Z. (2018). Effectiveness of ACT (ACT) on insecure attachment, fear of intimacy, and addiction to social networks in teenagers with suicidal history. The Journal of Applied Psychology, 11(4), 535-555. Retrieved from: https://apsy.sbu.ac.ir/article_96964_074939827397fa9c35ed3ff6b53a3947.pdf?lang=en

Bahrami, S. & Asghari, F. (2017). A controlled trial of acceptance and commitment therapy for addiction severity in methamphetamine users: Preliminary study. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, 19(2), 49-55. DOI: 10.12740/APP/68159

Davoudi, M., Omidi, A., Sehat, M., & Sepehrmanesh, Z. (2017). The Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Man Smokers' Comorbid Depression and Anxiety Symptoms and Smoking Cessation: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Addiction & health, 9(3), 129–138. Retrieved from https://ahj.kmu.ac.ir/article_84720.html

Hashemi, J., & Nazemi, A. (2017). Effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on admission of treatment plan in marijuana, phencyclidine and ketamine abusers. Police Medicine, 6, 189-195.

Harvey, S. T., Henricksen, A., Bimler, D., & Dickson, D. (2017). Addressing anger, stress, and alcohol-related difficulties in the military: An ACT intervention. Military Psychology, 29, 464-476. DOI: 10.1037/mil0000173

Shorey, R. C., Elmquist, J., Gawrysiak, M. J., Strauss, C., Haynes, E., Anderson, S., & Stuart, G. L. (2017). A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Mindfulness and Acceptance Group Therapy for Residential Substance Use Patients. Substance Use & Misuse, 52(11), 1400-1410. DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2017.1284232

Azkhosh, M., Farhoudianm, A., Saadati, H., Shoaee, F., & Lashani, L. (2016). Comparing acceptance and commitment group therapy and 12-steps narcotics anonymous in addict's rehabilitation process: A randomized controlled trial. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 11, 244-249.

Smallwood, R. F., Potter, J. S., & Robin, D. A. (2016). Neurophysiological mechanisms in acceptance and commitment therapy in opioid-addicted patients with chronic pain. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging, 250, 12-14. DOI: 10.1016/j.pscychresns.2016.03.001

Beadman, M., Das, R.K., Freeman, T.P., Scragg, P., West, R., & Kamboj, S.K. (2015). A comparison of emotion regulation strategies in response to craving cognitions: Effects on smoking behaviour, craving and affect in dependent smokers. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 69, 29-39. DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2015.03.013

Savvides, S. N., & Karekla, M. (2015). Evaluating an acceptance and commitment therapy internet-based intervention for smoking cessation in young adults. The European Health Psychologist, 17, Supp.

George, B. (2015). Efficacy of acceptance and mindful based relapse prevention program on emotion regulation difficulty among alcoholics in Kerala India. Journal of Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, 3:205.

Thekiso, B., Murphy, P., Milnes. J., Lambe, K., Curtin, A., & Farren, C. K. (2015). Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of alcohol use disorder and comorbid affective disorder: A pilot matched control trial. Behavior Therapy, 46, 717-728.

Lanza, P. V., García, P. F., Lamelas, F. R., & González-Menéndez, A. (2014). Acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive behavioural therapy in the treatment of substance use disorder with incarcerated women. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 70, 644-657.

Narae, J., Lee, M. (2014). Effects of Acceptance-Commitment Therapy (ACT) on Mental Health of Inpatients with Alcohol Dependence. The Korean Journal of Health Psychology, 19(4), 909-927. DOI: 10.17315/kjhp.2014.19.4.003

González-Menéndez, A., Fernández, P., Rodríguez, F., & Villagrá, P. (2014). Long-term outcomes of acceptance and commitment therapy in drug-dependent female inmates: A randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology, 14, 18-27.

Bricker, J. B., Mull, K. E., Kientz, J. A.,Vilardaga, R., Mercer, L. D., Akioka, K. .J, & Heffner, J. L. (2014). Randomized, controlled pilot trial of a smartphone app for smoking cessation using acceptance and commitment therapy. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 143, 87-94. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.07.006

Bricker, J. B., Bush, T., Zbikowski, S. M., Mercer, L. D., & Heffner, J. L. (2014). Randomized trial of telephone-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy versus cognitive behavioral therapy for smoking cessation: A pilot study. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 16, 1446-1454. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntu102

Brown, R. A., Palm Reed, K. M., Litvin Bloom, E., Minami, H., Strong, D. R., Lejuez, C. W., Kahler, C. W., Zvolensky, M. J., Gifford, E. V., & Hayes, S. C. (2013). Development and preliminary randomized controlled trial of a distress tolerance treatment for smokers with a history of early lapse. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 15, 2005-2015.

Bricker, J., Wyszynski, C., Comstock, B., & Heffner, J. L. (2013). Pilot randomized controlled trial of web-based acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation. Nicotine and Tobacco Research, 15, 1756-1764. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntt056

Jo, Y. J., & Son, C. N. (2013). Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) on problem drinking behavior, alcohol expectancy, and perceived stress of the college students with problem drinking. The Korean Journal of Health Psychology, 18(3), 445-464. DOI: 10.17315/kjhp.2013.18.3.002

Kiani, A., Ghasemi, N., & Pourabbas, A. (2013). The comparison of the efficacy of group psychotherapy based on ACT, and mindfulness on craving and cognitive emotion regulation in methamphetamine addicts. The Journal of Etiadpajohi, 6(24), 27-36. Retrieved from: http://etiadpajohi.ir/article-1-308-en.html

Lee, J. H., & Son, C. N. (2013). The Effects of the acceptance-commitment group therapy (ACT) on the self-control, psychological well-being, experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion in alcoholics. The Korean Journal of Stress Research, 21(1), 41-50.

Villagrá Lanza, P., & González Menéndez, A. (2013). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for drug abuse in incarcerated women. Psicothema, 25(3), 307-312. DOI: 10.7334/psicothema2012.292

Stotts, A. L., Green, C., Masuda, A., Grabowski, J., Wilson, K., Northrup, T. F., Moeller, F. G., & Schmitz, J. (2012). A Stage I pilot study of acceptance and commitment therapy for methadone detoxification. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 125, 215-222.

Luoma, J. B., Kohlenberg, B. S., Hayes, S. C. & Fletcher, L. (2012). Slow and steady wins the race: A randomized clinical trial of acceptance and commitment therapy targeting shame in substance use disorders. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80, 43-51.

Gifford, E. V., Kohlenberg, B., Hayes, S. C., Pierson, H., Piasecki, M., Antonuccio, D., & Palm, K. (2011). Does acceptance and relationship focused behavior therapy contribute to bupropion outcomes? A randomized controlled trial of functional analytic psychotherapy and acceptance and commitment therapy for smoking cessation. Behavior Therapy, 42, 700-715.

Smout, M., Longo, M., Harrison, S., Minniti, R., Wickes, W., & White, J. M. (2010). Psychosocial treatment for methamphetamine use disorders: A preliminary randomized controlled trial of cognitive behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy. Substance Abuse, 31, 98-107.

Petersen, C. L., & Zettle, R. D. (2009). Treating inpatients with comorbid depression and alcohol use disorders: A comparison of acceptance and commitment therapy and treatment as usual. The Psychological Record, 59, 521-536.

Gifford, E. V., Kohlenberg, B. S., Hayes, S. C., Antonuccio, D. O., Piasecki, M. M.., Rasmussen-Hall, M. L., & Palm, K. M. (2004). Acceptance-based treatment for smoking cessation. Behavior Therapy, 35, 689-705.

Hayes, S. C., Bissett, R., Roget, N., Padilla, M., Kohlenberg, B. S., Fisher, G., Masuda, A., Pistorello, J., Rye, A. K., Berry, K. & Niccolls, R. (2004). The impact of acceptance and commitment training and multicultural training on the stigmatizing attitudes and professional burnout of substance abuse counselors. Behavior Therapy, 35, 821-835.

Hayes, S. C., Wilson, K. G., Gifford, E. V., Bissett, R., Piasecki, M., Batten, S. V., Byrd, M., & Gregg, J. (2004). A preliminary trial of twelve-step facilitation and acceptance and commitment therapy with polysubstance-abusing methadone-maintained opiate addicts. Behavior Therapy, 35, 667-688.

Community June 18, 2019 - 1:05pm