There is an ACTing with Technology Special Interest Group (SIG) that ACBS members can join.
Meta-Analyses and Systematic Reviews
Klimczak, K. S., San Miguel, G. S., Mukasa, N. M., Twohig, M. P., & Levin, M. E. (2023 in press). A systematic review and meta-analysis of online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a transdiagnostic self-help intervention. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1080/16506073.2023.2178498
Wang, J., & Fang, S. (2023). Effects of internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (IACT) on Adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 25(4), 433-448.
DOI: 10.32604/ijmhp.2023.025304
Han, A., & Kim, T. H. (2022). Efficacy of internet-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depressive symptoms, anxiety, stress, psychological distress, and quality of life: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 24(12), e39727.
DOI: 10.2196/39727
Han, A., & Kim, T. H. (2022). The Effects of Internet-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Process Measures: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Journal of medical Internet research, 24(8), e39182. https://doi.org/10.2196/39182
Herbert, M. S., Dochat, C., Wooldridge, J. S., Materna, K., Blanco, B. H., Tynan, M., Lee, M. W., Gasperi, M., Camodeca, A., Harris, D., & Afari, N. (2022). Technology-supported Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic health conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brat.2021.103995
Van de Graaf, D. L., Trompetter, H. R., Smeets, T., & Mols, F. (2021). Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) interventions for chronic pain: A systematic literature review. Internet Interventions, 26, 100465. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2021.100465
Trindade, I. A., Guiomar, R., Carvalho, S. A., Duarte, J., Lapa, T., Menezes, P., Nogueira, M. R., Patrão, B., Pinto-Gouveia, J., & Castilho, P. (2021). Efficacy of Online-Based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Pain. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2021.04.003
Thompson, E. M., Destree, L., Albertella, L., & Fontenelle, L. F. (2021). Internet-based acceptance and commitment therapy: A transdiagnostic systematic review and meta-analysis for mental health outcomes. Behavior Therapy, 52(2), 492-507. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.10.002
Linardon, J. (2020). Can acceptance, mindfulness, and self-compassion be learnt by smartphone apps? A systematic and meta-analytic review of randomized controlled trials. Behavior Therapy, 51, 646-658. DOI: 10.1016/j.beth.2019.10.002
Nagaraj, M.K., Prabhu, P. (2020). Internet/smartphone-based applications for the treatment of tinnitus: a systematic review. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 277, 649–657. DOI: 10.1007/s00405-019-05743-8
Kelson, J, Rollin, A, Ridout, B, & Campbell, A. (2019). Internet-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment: Systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 21(1):e12530. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.12530
Ren, Z., Zhao, C., Bian, C., Zhu, W., Jiang, G., & Zhu, Z. (2019). Mechanisms of the acceptance and commitment therapy: a meta-analytic structural equation model. Acta Psychologica Sinica, 51(6), 662. https://doi.org/10.3724/SP.J.1041.2019.00662
O’Connor, M., Munnelly, A., Whelan, R., & McHugh, L. (2018). The efficacy and acceptability of third-wave behavioral and cognitive ehealth treatments: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Behavior Therapy, 49(3), 459–475. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beth.2017.07.007
Wei S., Ni S., Xiao M., Gao Y., Luo Q. (2018). Effectiveness of internet-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy for improving mental health: A meta-analysis. Journal of Third Military Medical University, 40(14), 1332-1342. Full Text: Available on CAOD
Sierra, M. A., Ruiz, F. J., & Flórez, C. L. (2018). A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Third-Wave Online Interventions for Depression. Revista Latinoamericana de Psicología, 50(2), 126-135. DOI:10.14349/rlp.2018.v50.n2.6
Brown, M., Glendenning, A., Hoon, A. E. & John, A. (2016). Effectiveness of web-delivered acceptance and commitment therapy in relation to mental health and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 18(8), e221. DOI: 10.2196/jmir.6200
Clinical Trials, Self Help Studies, and Other Related Research
This page includes a running list of relevant clinical trials, self help studies, and other related research testing ACT technologies. (Updated December 2020) If there is a study you would like added to the list, please contact acbsstaff@contextualscience.org who can add it to this page.
Petersen, J. M., Krafft, J., Twohig, M. P., & Levin, M. E. (in press). Evaluating the open and engaged components of acceptance and commitment therapy in an online self-guided website: Results from a pilot trial. Behavior Modification. DOI: 10.1177/0145445519878668
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
Räsänen, P., Muotka, J., & Lappalainen, R. (2020). Examining mediators of change in wellbeing, stress, and depression in a blended, Internet-based, ACT intervention for university students. Internet Interventions, 22, 100343. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.invent.2020.100343
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
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
Levin M.E., Krafft J, Seifert S, Lillis J. (2020) Tracking Valued and Avoidant Functions with Health Behaviors: A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Matrix Mobile App. Behavior Modification. doi:10.1177/0145445520913987
Levin, M. E., Petersen, J. M, Durward, C., Bingeman, B., Davis, E., Nelson, C., & Cromwell, S. (2020). A randomized controlled trial of online acceptance and commitment therapy to improve diet and physical activity among adults who are overweight/obese. Translational Behavioral Medicine, Article ibaa123. DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibaa123
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
Muscara, F., McCarthy, M. C., Rayner, M., Nicholson, J. M., Dimovski, A., McMillan, L., Hearps, S. J. C., Yamada, J., Burke, K., Walser, R., & Anderson, V. A. (2020). Effect of a videoconference-based online group intervention for traumatic stress in parents of children with life-threatening illness: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Network Open, 3(7), e208507. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.8507
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.
DOI: 10.2196/17750
Viskovich, S, & Pakenham, K. I. (2020). Randomized controlled trial of a web‐based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program to promote mental health in university students. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 76(6), 929-951. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.22848
Puolakanaho, A., Tolvanen, A., Kinnunen, S., Lappalainen, R (2020). A psychological flexibility -based intervention for Burnout: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 52-67
Viskovich, S, & Pakenham, K. I. (in press Nov 2019). Randomized controlled trial of a web‐based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program to promote mental health in university students. Journal of Clinical Psychology.
Paganini S, Lin J, Kählke F, et al. (2019) A guided and unguided internet- and mobile-based intervention for chronic pain: health economic evaluation alongside a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 2019;9:e023390. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-02339
Firestone, J.,Cardaciotto, L., Levin, M. E., Goldbacher, E., Vernig, P., & Eubanks Gambreld, L. (2019) A web-based self-guided program to promote valued-living in college students: A pilot study. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 29-38.
Lappalainen, P., Langrial, S., Oinas-Kukkonen, H., Muotka, J., & Lappalainen, R. (2019) ACT for sleep - Internet-delivered self-help ACT for sub-clinical and clinical insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 119-127.
Päivi, L., Sitwat, L., Harri, O., Joona, M., & Raimo, L. (2019). ACT for sleep - Internet-delivered self-help ACT for sub-clinical and clinical insomnia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 12, 119-127.
Sairanen, E., Lappalainen, E., Lappalainen, P., Kaipainen, K., Carlstedt, F., Anclair, M., & Hiltunen, A. (2019). Effectiveness of a web-based acceptance and commitment therapy intervention for wellbeing of parents whose children have chronic conditions: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 13, 94-102.
Krafft, J., Potts, S., Schoendorff, B., & Levin, M.E. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of multiple versions of an acceptance and commitment therapy matrix app for well-being. Behavior Modification, 43, 246-272.
Levin, M. E., Haeger, J., & Cruz, R. A. (2019). Tailoring acceptance and commitment therapy skill coaching in the moment through smartphones: Results from a randomized controlled trial. Mindfulness.
Eustis, E. H., Hayes-Skelton, S. A., Orsillo, S. M., & Roemer, L. (2018). Surviving and thriving during stress: A randomized clinical trial comparing a brief web-based therapist assisted acceptance-based behavioral intervention versus waitlist control for college students. Behavior Therapy, 49, 889-903.
Järvelä-Reijonen, E., Karhunen, L., Sairanen, E., Muotka, J., Lindroos, S., Laitinen, J., . . . Kolehmainen, M. (2018). The effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on eating behavior and diet delivered through face-to-face contact and a mobile app: a randomized controlled trial. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2018 (15), 22. doi:10.1186/s12966-018-0654-8 Open access
Hofer, P. D., Waadt, M., Aschwanden, R., Milidou, M., Acker, J., Meyer, A. H., Lieb R., & Gloster, A. T. (2018). Self-help for stress and burnout without therapist contact: An online randomised controlled trial. Work & Stress, 32, 189-208. DOI: 10.1080/02678373.2017.1402389
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.
Proctor, B. J., Moghaddam, N. G., Evangelou, N. & das Nair, R. (2018). Telephone-supported acceptance and commitment bibliotherapy for people with multiple sclerosis and psychological distress: A pilot randomised controlled trial. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 9, 103-109.
Levin, M. E., Haeger, J., Pierce, B. G. & Twohig, M. P. (2017). Web-based acceptance and commitment therapy for mental health problems in college students: A randomized controlled trial. Behavior Modification, 41, 141-162.
Krafft, J., Potts, S., Schoendorff, B., & Levin, M. E. (2017). A randomized controlled trial of multiple versions of an acceptance and commitment therapy matrix app for well-being. Behavior Modification, 43, 246–272.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0145445517748561
Ivanova, E., Lindner, P., Ly, K. H., Dahlin, M., Vernmark, K., Andersson, G., & Carlbring, P. (2016). Guided and unguided acceptance and commitment therapy for social anxiety disorder and/or panic disorder provided via the Internet and a smartphone application: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 44, 27-35.
Pierce, B., Twohig, M.P., Levin, M.E., (2016) Perspectives on the use of acceptance and commitment therapy related mobile apps: Results from a survey of students and professionals. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 5(4), 215-224.
Levin, M. E., Hayes, S. C., Pistorello, J., & Seeley, J. R. (2016). Web-based self-help for preventing mental health problems in universities: Comparing acceptance and commitment training to mental health education. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 72, 207-225.
Räsänen, P., Lappalainen, P., Muotka, J., Tolvanen, A., & Lappalainen, R. (2016). An online guided ACT intervention for enhancing the psychological wellbeing of university students: A randomized controlled clinical trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy 78, 30–42
Barker, E. (2016) The Utility of ACT Based Apps in Healthcare. Dissertation, The University of Edinburgh
Mattila, E., Lappalainen, R., Välkkynen, P., Sairanen, E., Lappalainen, P., Karhunen, L., . . . Ermes, M. (2016). Usage and Dose-Response of a Mobile Acceptance and Commitment Therapy App: Secondary Analysis of the Intervention Arm of a Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR mHealth and uHealth, 4 (3), e90. doi:10.2196/mhealth.5241 Open access
Pots, W.T.M. , Fledderus, M., Meulenbeek, P.A.M., ten Klooster, P.M. , Schreurs, K.M.G. & Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2016). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a web-based intervention for depressive symptomatology: A randomised controlled trial. British Journal of Psychiatry, 208(1), 69-77. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.114.146068.
Heffner, J.L., Vilardaga, R., Mercer, L.D., Kientz, J.A. & Bricker, J.B. (2015). Feature-level analysis of a novel smartphone application for smoking cessation. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 41, 68-73.
Jones, H.A., Heffner, J.L., Mercer, L., Wyszynski, C.M., Vilardaga, R. & Bricker, J.B. (2015). Web-based acceptance and commitment therapy smoking cessation treatment for smokers with depressive symptoms. Journal of Dual Diagnosis, 11, 56-62.
Glick, D.M. & Orsillo, S.M. (2015). An investigation of the efficacy of acceptance-based behavioral therapy for academic procrastination. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 144, 400–409.
Levin, M.E., Pistorello, J., Hayes, S.C., Seeley, J.R. & Levin, C. (2015). Feasibility of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy adjunctive web-based program for counseling centers. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 62, 529-536.
Moffitt, R. & Mohr, P. (2015). The efficacy of a self-managed acceptance and commitment therapy intervention DVD for physical activity initiation. British Journal of Health Psychology, 20, 115-129.
Trompetter, H. R., Bohlmeijer, E. T., Veehof, M. M., & Schreurs, K. M. G. (2015). Internet-based guided self-help intervention for chronic pain based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 38, 66-80.
Bricker, J. B., Mull, K. E., Kientz, J. A., Vilardaga, R. Mercer, L. D., Akiokaa, 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.
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.
Lappalainen, P., Granlund, A., Siltanen, S., Ahonen, S., Vitikainen, M., Tolvanen, A., & Lappalainen, R. (2014). ACT Internet-based vs face-to-face? A randomized controlled trial of two ways to deliver Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for depressive symptoms: An 18-month follow-up. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 61, 43-54.
Levin, M.E., Pistorello, J., Hayes, S.C. & Seeley, J. (2014). Feasibility of a prototype web-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy prevention program for college students. Journal of American College Health, 62, 20-30.
Ljótsson, B., Atterlöf, E., Lagerlöf, M., Andersson, E., Jernelöv, S., Hedman, E., Kemani, M. & Wicksell, R.K. (2014). Internet-delivered acceptance and values-based exposure treatment for fibromyalgia: A pilot study. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, 43, 93-104.
Ly, K.H., Asplund, K. & Andersson, G. (2014). Stress management for middle managers via an acceptance and commitment-based smartphone application: A randomized controlled trial. Internet Interventions, 1, 95-101.
Ly, K.H., Trüschel, A., Jarl, L., Magnusson, S., Windahl, T., Johansson, R., Carlbring, P., & Andersson, G. (2014). Behavioural activation versus mindfulness-based guided selfhelp treatment administered through a smartphone application: a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 4, e003440.
Van Gemert-Pijnen, J.E.W.C., Kelders, S.M. & Bohlmeijer, E.T. (2014). Understanding the usage of content in a mental health intervention for depression: An analysis of log data. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 16, e27.
Ahtinen, A., Mattila, E., Välkkynen, P., Kaipainen, K., Vanhala, T., Ermes, M., ... Lappalainen, R. (2013). Mobile mental wellness training for stress management: Feasibility and design implications based on a one-month field study. JMIR Mhealth Uhealth, 1, 1-13.
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.
Buhrman, M., Skoglund, A., Husell, J., Bergström, K., Gordh, T., Hursti, T., Bendelin, N., Furmark, T. & Andersson, G. (2013). Guided internet-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for chronic pain patients: A randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 307–315.
Carlbring, P., Hagglund, M., Luthstromb, A., Dahlin, M., Kadowaki, A., Vernmark, K., & Andersson, G. (2013). Internet-based behavioral activation and acceptance-based treatment for depression: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Affective Disorders, 148, 331–337.
Chase, J.A., Houmanfar, R., Hayes, S.C., Ward, T.A., Vilardaga, J.P. & Follette, V. (2013). Values are not just goals: Online ACT-based values training adds to goal setting in improving undergraduate college student performance. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 2 (3-4), 79-84.
Fledderus, M., Bohlmeijer, E. T., Fox, J. P., Schreurs, K. M. G., & Spinhoven, P. (2013). The role of psychological flexibility in a self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for psychological distress in a randomized controlled trial. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 51, 142-151. DOI: 10.1016/j.brat.2012.11.007
Hawkes, A. L., Chambers, S. K., Pakenham, K. I., Patrao, T. A., Baade, P. D., Lynch, B. M., Aitken, J. F., Meng, X. Q., & Courneya, K. S. (2013). Effects of a telephone-delivered multiple health behavior change intervention (CanChange) on health and behavioral outcomes in survivors of colorectal cancer: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 31, 2313-2321.
Lappalainen, P., Kaipainen, K., Lappalainen, R., Hoffren, H., Myllymaki, T., Kinnunen, M. L., Mattila, E., Happonen, A. P., Rusko, H., & Korhonen, I. (2013). Feasibility of a personal health technology-based psychological intervention for men with stress and mood problems: Randomized controlled pilot trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 15. DOI: 10.2196/resprot.2389.
Yuen, E.K., Herbert, J.D., Forman, E.M., Goetter, E.M., Juarascio, A.S., Rabin, S., Goodwin, C. & Bouchard, S. (2013). Acceptance based beahvior therapy for social anxiety disorder through videoconferencing. Journal of Anxiety Disorders, 27, 389-397.
Yuen, E.K., Herbert, J.D., Forman, E.M., Goetter, E.M., Comer, R. & Bradley, J.C. (2013). Treatment of social anxiety disorder using online virtual environments in Second Life. Behavior Therapy, 44, 51-61.
Hesser, H., Gustafsson, T., Lundén, C., Henrikson, O., Fattahi, K., Johnsson, E., Westin, V. Z., Carlbring, P., Mäki-Torkko, E., Kaldo, V., & Andersson, G. (2012). A randomized controlled trial of internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of tinnitus. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 80(4), 649-61. doi: 10.1037/a0027021.
Ly, K.H., Dahl, J., Carlbring, P., & Andersson, G. (2012). Development and initial evaluation of a smartphone application based on acceptance and commitment therapy. SpringerPlus 1, 11.