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01-03-2016 | Original Paper

A Case Study of Overselling Psychotherapy: An ACT Intervention for Diabetes Management

Authors: William O’Donohue, Cassandra Snipes, Cyndy Soto

Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

There have been numerous indications that the scientific literature regarding treatment safety and effectiveness can be biased. In this case study, we examine several reports relevant to an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention attempting to improve diabetes self-management. The analysis indicated that several key negative results found in the original research—a dissertation—were not reported in the subsequent journal publication. Further, descriptions by some of the original authors in other peer-reviewed publications did not accurately portray the actual results reported in the dissertation. Also, subsequently a diabetes management self-help book was published by the same authors, that contained claims that this intervention is supported by the dissertation results although the dissertation only studied group face-to-face contact. Questions are raised regarding whether professionals and consumers are being misled about data that allegedly support claims about the efficacy of this intervention and serious methodological shortcomings of the original dissertation, that were not reported in the subsequent journal publication, are noted that add to the concern that the ACT intervention is being oversold.

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Title: A Case Study of Overselling Psychotherapy: An ACT Intervention for Diabetes Management
Authors: William O’Donohue
Cassandra Snipes
Cyndy Soto
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer US
Published in: Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy / Issue 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0022-0116
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-015-9308-1

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A Case Study of Overselling Psychotherapy: An ACT Intervention for Diabetes Management

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