The effectiveness of an ACT protocol for improving well-being in Thalassemia patients

Abstract

Comorbid psychopathology, diminished QOL and poor illness adjustment have often been linked to genetic disorders. Needs assessment conducted on Thalassemia patients in the Republic of Cyprus deduced that patients suffer reduced QOL and poor adherence to medication. Thalassemia patients (N=25) took part in a brief ACT intervention (one two hour workshop, followed by two, weekly telephone calls). Telephone calls, aimed to provide personalised feedback, encourage the use of skills, and problem-solve difficulties in practising skills learnt during the workshop. The satisfaction with iron chelation therapy (SICT), acceptance and action questionnaire (AAQ-II), valued living questionnaire (VLQ), SF-36 measuring QOL, and satisfaction with intervention were used to measure the effectiveness of the intervention at pre and post intervention. Results suggest that brief psychological interventions for Thalassemia patients may improve wellbeing and QOL through values based action and diminished EA. Implications, include the introduction of brief, cost-effective evidence based treatments for thalassemia patients.