A Ten-Week Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Family Caregivers of People With Dementia

Last updated: October 6, 2024
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Dementia

Depression

Treatment

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Psychoeducation

Clinical Study ID

NCT05043441
AARG-21-846868
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effects of a coach-guided ten-week videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program on mental health outcomes in depressed family caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) compared to the control group. A total of 32 family caregivers of PwD who meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited and randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. The hypotheses are that the ACT group will show improvements in depressive symptoms, other mental health outcomes, and ACT process measures at posttest and 3-month follow-up, compared to the control group.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • community-dwelling adults (age 18 or over) who are currently taking the primaryresponsibility for the care of a relative with dementia living in the community

  • having at least mild depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ)-9

  • having a computer or a smartphone with the internet access at home and

  • being able to provide informed consent

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • having cognitive, physical, or sensory deficits or language barriers (non-Englishcommunicator) that impede study participation

  • having psychiatric hospitalizations or diagnoses of mental illness in the previoustwo years

  • taking antipsychotic or anticonvulsant medication at the time of recruitment

  • considering or planning to place family members of PwD in a nursing home within 6months or

  • having the possibility of study dropouts due to medical conditions of caregivers (e.g., surgery that may affect mental health) and their relatives with dementia (e.g., conditions that may impede study participation due to frequenthospitalization or death)

Study Design

Total Participants: 33
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 21, 2022
Estimated Completion Date:
June 18, 2024

Study Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess the effects of a coach-guided ten-week videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) program on mental health outcomes in depressed family caregivers of people with dementia (PwD) compared to the control group. A total of 32 family caregivers of PwD who meet the eligibility criteria will be recruited and randomized to either the intervention group or the control group. Caregivers randomly assigned to the intervention group will receive individual ACT sessions guided by a trained coach for one hour per week over 10 weeks through Zoom videoconferencing with supplemental psychoeducation materials provided. Caregivers randomly assigned to the control group will receive care as usual with psychoeducation materials provided during the study period. Outcomes regarding caregivers' mental health and ACT processes will be collected at three time points (i.e., pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up) and compared between groups over time. The hypotheses are that the ACT group will show improvements in depressive symptoms, other mental health outcomes, and ACT process measures at posttest and 3-month follow-up, compared to the control group.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama 35294
    United States

    Site Not Available

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