Community‐based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Programmes for rheumatic conditions: An acceptability and qualitative process evaluation study

Findings highlight the implications of programme duration in planning ACT groups for individuals with rheumatic conditions in the community. The study suggests that acceptance and mindfulness may be time-bound and context-sensitive processes, influenced by the fluctuating symptomatology of rheumatic conditions. Mindfulness is best developed step by step, starting with body awareness, understanding symptoms and slowly bringing mindfulness into daily life. Pain acceptance should focus more on facilitating momentary patterns of activity engagement, rather than willingness towards the fluctuating symptoms.