Objective To explore the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on anxiety, depression and self-management abilities of patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD).

Methods A total of 140 MHD patients from June 2021 to December 2023 were selected as research subjects, and were randomly divided into control group and study group, with 70 cases in each group. The control group received routine nursing, while the study group received ACT intervention based on routine nursing care. Score of Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), score of Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), and score of self-management ability were compared before and after intervention in both groups.

Results After intervention, the SAS and SDS scores in both groups decreased significantly, with the study group having significantly lower SAS and SDS scores than the control group (P < 0.05). After intervention, the self-management ability scores of all dimensions in both groups were significantly higher than those before intervention, with the study group having significantly higher scores in all dimensions than the control group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion ACT can improve anxiety and depression in MHD patients, enhance their self-management abilities, and improve their quality of life.