The challenges associated with chronic health conditions (CHCs) can contribute to impaired quality of life and mental health. CHCs are both prevalent and diverse among adults, raising challenges in developing, validating, and deploying mental health interventions for each condition. Previous research has found acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) effective when tested with CHCs including chronic pain, cancer, epilepsy, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and inflammatory bowel disease, among others, of which several studies used a digital intervention approach. This study extends prior research by evaluating a new digital self-guided program that targets transdiagnostic acceptance, mindfulness, and values-based psychological flexibility processes through ACT to improve quality of life and mental health for adults living with any CHC. If effective, such a program could offer a readily accessible resource for adults experiencing a wide range of CHCs, including more rare or comorbid conditions that otherwise might not have a targeted program available.

A sample of 100 adults reporting one or more CHCs were randomly assigned to digital ACT or a 10-week waitlist condition. ACT participants were asked to complete the 6 session program over 6 weeks. Online assessments were collected at baseline, 6-weeks, and 10-weeks. Participants reported a wide variety of CHCS (61 unique CHCs in total), and while 55% had a chronic pain condition, only 12% reported having only a pain condition. Participants completed an average of 4 (out of 6) digital ACT sessions, and reported high program satisfaction. Multilevel model results indicated participants assigned to ACT improved significantly more than waitlist condition from baseline to 10-week follow up on positive mental health (Mental Health Continuum; β = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.08, 0.68), CHC-related functional impairment (Work and Social Adjustment Scale; β = -0.33, 95%CI = -0.58, -0.07), and psychological flexibility (Comprehensive Assessment of ACT Processes; β = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.03, 0.55). However, there was no difference between conditions over time on the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (β = -0.26, 95%CI = -6.24, 0.10). In addition to discussing the significance of these results, we will discuss our unique approach to developing and deploying digital ACT through Qualtrics, including how this program will be made available as part of the ACT Guide service suite offered to the general public through our university.