Interventions
Both intervention programs were developed in collaboration between health care personnel and the research group. More detailed descriptions have been published previously [O-ACT consisted mainly of group-based ACT once a week for six weeks, each session lasting 2.5 h. The sessions were held as outpatient treatments at the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, St. Olavs Hospital, and was led by one of two physicians or a psychologist trained in ACT. The participants were given home assignments between sessions, including a daily 15-minute audio-guided mindfulness practice. In addition, the participants were offered two individual sessions with a social worker experienced in occupational rehabilitation and trained in ACT to clarify personal values and work-related issues. The program also included a motivational group discussion with a physiotherapist on the benefits of physical training. One individual session with both the social worker and group leader present ended the program. In this session, a brief summary letter was written to the participant’s general practitioner.