NCT04630912

ACT for People With Dementia Experiencing Psychological Distress

Completed NA Last updated 19 August 2022

What this trial tests

NA trial testing Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in 6 participants. Completed in 22 July 2022.

Timeline

20 January 2021

Primary endpoint
14 October 2021

22 July 2022

Quick facts

Lead sponsor	University of Nottingham
Phase	NA
Status	Completed
Study type	INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation	na
Design	single group
Masking	none
Primary purpose	treatment
Enrollment	6
Start date	20 January 2021
Primary completion	14 October 2021
Estimated completion	22 July 2022
Sites	1 location across United Kingdom

Drugs / interventions tested

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Conditions studied

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy — all drugs for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy →
• Dementia — all drugs for Dementia →

Sponsor

University of Nottingham

Who can join

65 and older, any sex, with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or Dementia. Patients with the condition only — healthy volunteers not accepted.

Sponsor's own description

Introduction: People with dementia have a high prevalence of psychological distress but are under-served with evidence-based psychological interventions. To promote choice and improve clinical outcomes, there is a necessity to test different psychological intervention options for this population. Purpose: To investigate the effectiveness and acceptability of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for people with dementia, considering carer-supported, remote delivery and necessary therapy adaptations. Methods: A hermeneutic single case efficacy design (HSCED) series was used to analyse therapy process and change for three clients with dementia and psychological distress. Quantitative and qualitative data was collated ('rich case records') and analysed by three independent psychotherapy experts ('judges') who determined the outcome for each client. Results: Over the course of therapy, it was concluded that one client with dementia made positive changes, specifically reliable reductions in psychological distress, which were largely attributable to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Two clients remained unchanged. Discussion/Conclusion: Where change was achieved, the ACT-specific processes of values, committed action and acceptance, in combination with non-specific therapy factors including a strong client-carer relationship, existing client interests and individualised therapy adaptations, were facilitative of change. Hence, ACT may be feasible and effective by helping carers to better meet the needs of their loved ones with dementia. Future research to optimise ACT delivery in this population may be beneficial. Furthermore, the assessment of carer factors (e.g., their psychological flexibility, the client-carer relationship) may strengthen the evidence-base for systemic ACT-use.

Publications & conference data

No peer-reviewed publications indexed yet for this trial. Completed trials usually publish results within 12-18 months.