Objective To explore the clinical effect of acceptance commitment therapy (ACT) on psychological intervention in adolescents with depression.

Methods Eighty cases of adolescent depression admitted to a tertiary hospital were randomly divided into observation group and control group, 40 cases in each group.Both groups were treated with sertraline, the control group with routine nursing, and the observation group with routine nursing plus acceptance commitment therapy.Depression, acceptance and action, cognitive integration, and quality of life were measured before and after the intervention using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Acceptance and Action Questionnaire Second edition (AAQ-Ⅱ), Cognitive Integration Questionnaire (CFQ), and Quality of Life (SF-36).

Results There were no significant differences in HAMD, AAQ-Ⅱ, CFQ and SF-36 scores between the two groups before intervention (P>0.05).After intervention, HAMD, AAQ-Ⅱ and CFQ scores in observation group were much lower than those in control group, and SF-36 scores were significantly higher than those in control group (P < 0.01).Compared with before intervention, HAMD, AAQ-Ⅱ and CFQ scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those before treatment, and SF-36 scores were significantly increased (P < 0.01).

Conclusions Acceptance commitment therapy is effective in the treatment of adolescents with depression, and can better improve depressive symptoms, psychological flexibility and quality of life.