Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to manage pain for people with Crohn’s

What this research looked at

Up to 7 in 10 people with Crohn’s have long-term pain. Pain can stop many people from doing the things they enjoy and reduces their quality of life. Many people still experience pain even after treatment and when gut symptoms are well controlled. 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a talking therapy that starts by accepting that pain will not go away quickly. It encourages the person to focus on positive activities that they value, even when significant pain continues. It is a group-based therapy that allows people to talk about their lived experiences of ongoing pain and share new ways to manage this with each other. 

ACT has been found to be effective in improving quality of life in people with long-standing pain in other conditions. The researchers explored how to use this approach in people living with Crohn’s. People who took part in the study were offered weekly online group session with a psychologist.  

What the researchers found

28 people living with Crohn’s and long-term tummy pain joined the study. They had weekly group sessions of 90 minutes led by an experienced psychologist, along with weekly homework tasks. Although fewer people joined the study than the researchers had planned, those who took part completed the study and valued the group support. 

The researchers found small improvements in mood and distress related to Crohn's and long-term tummy pain. Some people said that the therapy helped them to carry on with daily life despite their pain. 

The researchers found that it was difficult to find and keep people on the study in an NHS setting. Their future steps will be to adapt the therapy to be offered through community groups or online platforms. 

What the researchers think this could this mean for people with Crohn’s and Colitis

The researchers think that using ACT earlier in a person's pain journey would have the biggest impact. While the study suggests that ACT may not suit everyone, it has the potential to support people living with Crohn's, helping them manage the emotional and psychological challenges of living with pain. 

Researchers will use the findings from this study to help shape new projects. 

Scientific Publications

Czuber-Dochan W, Watson N, Norton C, Duff A, Mawdsley J, Moulton C & Kent A (2023) A feasibility testing of an Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy (ACT) intervention for managing pain in people with Crohn's Disease: the ACT study protocol. Research Square (Preprint) https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-2406230/v1

N Watson , J Mawdsley , A Kent , A Duff , C Norton , C Moulton , W Czuber-Dochan (2025) Managing pain in people with Crohn’s Disease: feasibility testing of an Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy intervention. European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation, Berlin, February 2025; Journal of Crohn's and Colitis, Volume 19, Issue Supplement_1, January 2025, Pages i1621–i1622, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjae190.1024

Who led this research: Dr Wladyslawa Czuber-Dochan, King’s College London 
Our funding: £117,378.26 
Duration: 24 months 
Official title of application: Managing pain in people with Crohn's Disease: Feasibility Testing of an Acceptance and Commitment Group Therapy intervention.