Terapia de aceptacion y compromiso en el tratamiento de la ansiedad en adultos: una revisión sistemática
Acceptance and commitment therapy in the treatment of anxiety in adults: a systematic reviewBarra lateral del artículo
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El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar la evidencia científica disponible sobre la eficacia diferencial de la Terapia de Aceptación y Compromiso (ACT) en adultos con trastornos de ansiedad, considerando el diagnóstico clínico específico. Se realizó una revisión sistemática siguiendo las guías PRISMA 2020 y el método de análisis comparativo constante. Se examinaron 113 estudios empíricos identificados en la base de datos Dimensions.ai y publicados entre 2007 y 2025, complementados con búsquedas exhaustivas en PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science y Scopus (2000–2025). Tras aplicar criterios de inclusión centrados en adultos (≥18 años) con diagnósticos específicos de ansiedad y en intervenciones basadas principalmente en ACT, se seleccionaron 30 estudios para el análisis final. Los resultados muestran que la eficacia de ACT varía de manera significativa según el tipo de trastorno: es altamente efectiva en el trastorno de ansiedad social, donde destacan como mediadores la defusión cognitiva y la clarificación de valores; presenta una eficacia comparable a la terapia cognitivo-conductual en el trastorno de ansiedad generalizada, pero con mejoras más rápidas en flexibilidad psicológica; y evidencia beneficios específicos en el trastorno de pánico, particularmente en la aceptación de sensaciones corporales. Asimismo, ACT es eficaz en contextos clínicos diversos, especialmente cuando se aplica en formatos digitales y grupales. En conclusión, la eficacia de ACT no es homogénea, sino dependiente del diagnóstico, de los procesos terapéuticos activados y del formato de intervención, lo que respalda la necesidad de una personalización clínica y el desarrollo de guías de práctica basadas en evidencia.
This study aimed to evaluate the available scientific evidence on the differential efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in adults with anxiety disorders, considering the specific clinical diagnosis. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the constant comparative analysis method. One hundred and thirteen empirical studies identified in the Dimensions.ai database and published between 2007 and 2025 were examined, supplemented by comprehensive searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus (2000–2025). After applying inclusion criteria focused on adults (≥18 years) with specific anxiety diagnoses and interventions primarily based on ACT, 30 studies were selected for the final analysis. The results show that the efficacy of ACT varies significantly according to the type of disorder: it is highly effective in social anxiety disorder, where cognitive defusion and values clarification stand out as mediating factors; It demonstrates comparable efficacy to cognitive-behavioral therapy in generalized anxiety disorder, but with faster improvements in psychological flexibility; and it shows specific benefits in panic disorder, particularly in the acceptance of bodily sensations. Furthermore, ACT is effective in diverse clinical contexts, especially when applied in digital and group formats. In conclusion, the efficacy of ACT is not homogeneous, but rather dependent on the diagnosis, the therapeutic processes activated, and the intervention format, which supports the need for clinical personalization and the development of evidence-based practice guidelines.
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