The role of experiential avoidance and effectiveness of a formulation and brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy intervention for Functional Neurological Disorder

Abstract

This thesis explored the role of experiential avoidance (EA) and effectiveness of a formulation and brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (F-ACT) intervention for people with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). The first chapter includes a systematic review and meta-analyses reporting on levels of experiential avoidance in adults with FND. Studies frequently reported elevated levels of EA in FND. Significantly higher levels of EA were only found in FND in comparison to the healthy controls, but not in comparison to neurological controls. Therefore, EA may play a transdiagnostic role in FND. However, EA processes may be accounted for by other comorbid psychiatric diagnoses. The second chapter includes an empirical paper reporting on the acceptability and effectiveness of the F-ACT intervention for people with FND using a withdrawal/reversal single case experimental design. This intervention was safe and well accepted by people with FND (n = 4). It was effective at reducing levels of FND symptom related distress. Following the intervention participants were able to engage more in meaningful activities and symptom reduction was observed during the intervention. The majority of participants reported significant reliable change in improved psychological health and emotional processing, following the ACT phase. Therefore, formulation and ACT, even when used briefly, can result in improved outcomes for people with FND. ACT may be the active component that facilitates change. This thesis suggests that ACT processes play a role in FND and can be successfully targeted by brief ACT interventions.

More information

Identifiers

ORCID for Irma Konovalova: orcid.org/0000-0002-4696-1427

ORCID for Warren Dunger: orcid.org/0000-0002-3213-5175

Catalogue record

Export record