Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Narrative Review

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is prevalent in the United States and while useful treatments exist, more treatment development work is needed. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for GAD has growing empirical support, but this literature has not yet been summarized for GAD alone. In this paper we provide a narrative review of the current literature on ACT for GAD. Our search yielded 21 studies of ACT for GAD with 15 included in this review (one case study, two open trials, one multiple baseline single subject design, three semi-experimental designs, and eight randomized clinical trials). Overall, ACT has preliminary support as an efficacious treatment for adults with GAD. Studies reported between group effect sizes in the medium to large range and 60% to 77% reduction in symptom severity, however there was significant variability in study design and methodological rigor. Limitations of the current literature are noted. Future directions for research to better inform clinical decision making on GAD are identified.