Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Depressed Individuals Living With Spinal Cord Injury Sustained Within 5 Years

Last updated: February 23, 2025
Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Overall Status: Completed

Phase

N/A

Condition

Spinal Cord Injuries

Depression

Treatment

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

Wait-list control group with psychoeducation materials provided

Clinical Study ID

NCT05725161
3191
  • Ages > 18
  • All Genders

Study Summary

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess effects of videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on mental health outcomes in individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI). A total of 34 individuals living with SCI sustained within 5 years and experiencing depressive symptoms will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the ACT group or the wait-list control group. The ACT group will receive 8 weekly individual ACT sessions guided by a coach through videoconferencing. The wait-list group will receive ACT sessions after the study period ends. We will provide psychoeducation materials related to SCI as supplemental resources to both groups. Mental health outcomes using self-reported questionnaires will be collected at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. Exploratory hypotheses are that the group undergoing the ACT intervention supplemented with psychoeducation will show improvements in mental health outcomes (e.g., depression) and ACT processes (e.g., psychological flexibility) at posttest and 2-month follow-up, compared to the wait-list control group provided with psychoeducation materials alone. Interviews will be conducted at posttest to explore the participants' experiences in ACT.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • community-dwelling adults (aged 18 years or older) living with spinal cord injuriessustained within 5 years

  • having at least mild depression measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9

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

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • having cognitive deficits or language barriers that might impede study participation

  • having suicidal attempts within 6 months;

  • having a prior experience with acceptance and commitment therapy

Study Design

Total Participants: 34
Treatment Group(s): 2
Primary Treatment: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Phase:
Study Start date:
March 08, 2023
Estimated Completion Date:
February 18, 2025

Study Description

This randomized controlled trial aims to assess effects of videoconferencing acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on mental health outcomes in individuals living with spinal cord injuries (SCI). A total of 34 individuals living with SCI sustained within 5 years and experiencing depressive symptoms will be recruited and randomly assigned to either the ACT group or the wait-list control group. The ACT group will receive 8 weekly individual ACT sessions guided by a coach through videoconferencing. The wait-list group will receive ACT sessions after the study period ends. We will provide psychoeducation materials related to SCI as supplemental resources to both groups. Mental health outcomes using self-reported questionnaires will be collected at pretest, posttest, and 2-month follow-up. Exploratory hypotheses are that the group undergoing the ACT intervention supplemented with psychoeducation will show improvements in depression (primary outcome), secondary mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, stress, and grief), and ACT processes (e.g., psychological flexibility) at posttest and 2-month follow-up, compared to the wait-list control group provided with psychoeducation materials alone. Interviews will be conducted at posttest to explore the participants' experiences in ACT.

Connect with a study center

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham

    Birmingham, Alabama 35294
    United States

    Site Not Available

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