Study Shows ACT before Spine Surgery Produces Better Outcomes
Date: 24th July 2026 | By: Dr Lourdes Gaspar
New evidence highlights the value of integrating Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) into surgical care pathways.
A recent randomized controlled trial found that patients who received group-based online ACT before lumbar surgery experienced significantly greater improvements in pain-related outcomes compared to treatment as usual.
Key findings included reductions in:
✅ Pain interference ✅ Depression and anxiety symptoms ✅ Pain catastrophising ✅ Fear of movement (kinesiophobia) ✅ Low back pain-related disability
The study also found improvements in:
✅ Psychological flexibility
✅ Pain acceptance
Importantly, these benefits were maintained for up to 12 months following surgery.
One of the most interesting findings is that ACT didn’t necessarily reduce pain intensity itself. Instead, it helped people build a different relationship with pain, enabling them to engage more fully in life despite ongoing symptoms.
This reflects a core principle of ACT: improving functioning, wellbeing, and quality of life through increased psychological flexibility.
As healthcare continues to move towards integrated biopsychosocial approaches, studies like this strengthen the case for including evidence-based psychological interventions as part of routine surgical care.
What are your thoughts on the role of ACT in perioperative care?
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