Comparing the Effectiveness of Spiritual Therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Diabetes Self-management in Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which self-management plays an important role. Exploring practical treatment approaches in the self-management of T1D can be very important and necessary. Objectives: The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of spiritual therapy (ST) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on diabetes self-management in adolescents with T1D. Methods: The present study was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test-post-test-follow-up (3 months) design and random replacement of subjects using a control group. The study population included all adolescents aged 14 - 18 years in Tabriz with T1D who had a file for treatment of T1D at Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz from June 21, 2024, to December 21, 2024. From this population, 45 individuals were selected through purposive sampling according to the inclusion criteria and then randomly assigned to three groups: The ACT, ST, and a control group. A Self-management Questionnaire was administered in pre-test/post-test and follow-up for all three groups. One group was exposed to ACT, one group was exposed to ST, and the control group did not receive any intervention. The data were analyzed through a mixed analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Results: The results indicated that the multivariate analysis of covariance with repeated measures was significant for diabetes self-management. The results showed that the groups affected by ST and ACT demonstrated better diabetes self-management compared to the control group, and this effect was lasting. It was also found that there was no significant difference between the two therapeutic interventions in this effectiveness. Conclusions: Based on the results obtained, we conclude that ST and ACT have a positive effect on diabetes self-management. This finding has many valuable and practical implications for researchers in this field and people with T1D.