Efficacy of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy in reducing anxiety and improving mental health among adults recovering from COVID-19: a quasi-experimental interventional study

Background Survivors of COVID-19 frequently encounter persistent psychological distress. While Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) aims to enhance psychological flexibility, its clinical utility and underlying mechanisms in post-pandemic recovery within diverse cultural contexts require further empirical investigation. Objective This study evaluated the efficacy of a group-based ACT intervention in alleviating anxiety and promoting psychological well-being and mental health among COVID-19 survivors in Iran. Methods This study employed a quasi-experimental interventional design with a pretest–posttest and 6-week follow-up assessment, including a control group. Individuals meeting the preliminary eligibility criteria were screened using the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the General Health Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28). A total of 40 adults who had recovered from COVID-19 and exhibited clinically significant anxiety and reduced general mental health were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the ACT intervention group (n = 20) or the control group (n = 20). The intervention consisted of eight weekly 90-minute sessions focusing on the core processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Outcomes were assessed using the BAI and GHQ-28 at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 6-week follow-up. Results Analysis of the 36 participants who completed the protocol revealed that the ACT group demonstrated significant and sustained reductions in anxiety and somatic symptoms, alongside marked improvements in social functioning and overall mental health compared to the control group (p < 0.001). These gains were maintained at the 6-week follow-up. High intervention fidelity (90%) and attendance (87%) suggest the feasibility and acceptability of this approach in a post-viral clinical context. Conclusions Group-based ACT is an efficacious and feasible intervention for addressing the long-term psychological sequelae of COVID-19. The findings support the integration of ACT into rehabilitation programs to enhance resilience and quality of life in survivors.