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

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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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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Reno, 1664 N. Virginia Street, Mail Stop 298, Reno, NV, 89557, USA

    William O’Donohue, Cassandra Snipes & Cyndy Soto

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  1. William O’Donohue
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  2. Cassandra Snipes
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  3. Cyndy Soto
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Correspondence to Cassandra Snipes.

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O’Donohue, W., Snipes, C. & Soto, C. A Case Study of Overselling Psychotherapy: An ACT Intervention for Diabetes Management. J Contemp Psychother 46, 15–25 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10879-015-9308-1

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