Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso en pacientes oncológicos: tratamientos basados en evidencia
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Fecha
2025
Autores
Barrios Rodríguez, Valeria Alejandra
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
El cáncer representa uno de los mayores desafíos para la medicina y la psicología. Más allá de su dimensión biológica, un diagnóstico oncológico genera una crisis vital que afecta profundamente la estabilidad emocional, los vínculos sociales y la proyección de futuro de los pacientes. En este contexto, la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso – ACT emerge como una intervención psicológica, orientada a fortalecer la flexibilidad psicológica. Este enfoque promueve la capacidad de relacionarse con pensamientos, emociones y sensaciones dolorosas sin que estas interfieran en la conducta, permitiendo al paciente aceptar lo ineludible y comprometerse con acciones coherentes con sus valores personales. El objetivo de la presente monografía fue identificar las intervenciones basadas en ACT en pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer. Para ello, se realizó una revisión de estudios cuantitativos publicados entre 2019 y 2024, extraídos de la base de datos EBSCO. Se incluyeron 18 investigaciones con intervenciones clínicas que midieran variables psicológicas y emocionales antes y después del tratamiento, excluyéndose estudios cualitativos o teóricos sin resultados clínicos verificables. Los resultados indican que la ACT contribuye significativamente a la reducción de ansiedad, depresión y angustia existencial en pacientes oncológicos. Las intervenciones basadas en esta terapia favorecen el bienestar emocional, la adaptación psicológica, la aceptación de la enfermedad y la adherencia al tratamiento médico. Asimismo, se observaron mejoras en el sentido de vida y en la forma en que los pacientes enfrentan su cotidianidad, mostrando mayor serenidad ante la incertidumbre y compromiso con sus valores. Además, se evidenció un efecto positivo en el entorno cercano de los pacientes, promoviendo una comunicación más empática y una comprensión más profunda del proceso oncológico por parte de familiares y cuidadores. Algunos estudios destacaron que la ACT permite a los pacientes reconocer sus emociones sin juicios, reduciendo el sufrimiento psicológico y fortaleciendo su resiliencia ante el dolor físico y emocional. Aunque los hallazgos son favorables, se reconoce la necesidad de realizar estudios clínicos con muestras más amplias, diversidad cultural y seguimiento longitudinal, para evaluar la persistencia de los efectos terapéuticos a largo plazo.
Cancer represents one of the greatest challenges for both medicine and psychology. Beyond its biological dimension, an oncological diagnosis triggers a vital crisis that profoundly affects patients’ emotional stability, social bonds, and future outlook. In this context, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerges as a psychological intervention aimed at strengthening psychological flexibility. This approach promotes the ability to relate to painful thoughts, emotions, and sensations without allowing them to interfere with behavior, enabling patients to accept the inevitable and commit to actions aligned with their personal values. The objective of this monograph was to identify ACT-based interventions in patients diagnosed with cancer. To this end, a review was conducted of quantitative studies published between 2019 and 2024, retrieved from the EBSCO database. A total of 18 clinical studies were included, all of which assessed psychological and emotional variables before and after ACT interventions. Qualitative or theoretical studies without verifiable clinical outcomes were excluded. The findings indicate that ACT significantly contributes to reducing anxiety, depression, and existential distress in cancer patients. Interventions based on this therapy promote emotional well-being, psychological adaptation, acceptance of the illness, and adherence to medical treatment. Improvements were also observed in patients' sense of meaning in life and in how they face daily challenges, showing greater calm in the face of uncertainty and increased commitment to their values. Additionally, a positive impact was noted in patients’ immediate social environments, fostering more empathetic communication and a deeper understanding of the oncological process among family members and caregivers. Some studies highlighted that ACT helps patients recognize their emotions without judgment, reducing psychological suffering and strengthening resilience to both physical and emotional pain. Although the results are promising, there is a recognized need for further clinical studies with larger, more culturally diverse samples and longitudinal follow-up, in order to assess the long-term persistence of ACT’s therapeutic effects.
Cancer represents one of the greatest challenges for both medicine and psychology. Beyond its biological dimension, an oncological diagnosis triggers a vital crisis that profoundly affects patients’ emotional stability, social bonds, and future outlook. In this context, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) emerges as a psychological intervention aimed at strengthening psychological flexibility. This approach promotes the ability to relate to painful thoughts, emotions, and sensations without allowing them to interfere with behavior, enabling patients to accept the inevitable and commit to actions aligned with their personal values. The objective of this monograph was to identify ACT-based interventions in patients diagnosed with cancer. To this end, a review was conducted of quantitative studies published between 2019 and 2024, retrieved from the EBSCO database. A total of 18 clinical studies were included, all of which assessed psychological and emotional variables before and after ACT interventions. Qualitative or theoretical studies without verifiable clinical outcomes were excluded. The findings indicate that ACT significantly contributes to reducing anxiety, depression, and existential distress in cancer patients. Interventions based on this therapy promote emotional well-being, psychological adaptation, acceptance of the illness, and adherence to medical treatment. Improvements were also observed in patients' sense of meaning in life and in how they face daily challenges, showing greater calm in the face of uncertainty and increased commitment to their values. Additionally, a positive impact was noted in patients’ immediate social environments, fostering more empathetic communication and a deeper understanding of the oncological process among family members and caregivers. Some studies highlighted that ACT helps patients recognize their emotions without judgment, reducing psychological suffering and strengthening resilience to both physical and emotional pain. Although the results are promising, there is a recognized need for further clinical studies with larger, more culturally diverse samples and longitudinal follow-up, in order to assess the long-term persistence of ACT’s therapeutic effects.
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Palabras clave
Terapia de aceptación y compromiso, ACT, Cáncer, Intervención psicológica, Bienestar emocional, Psicooncología
