Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for older people with GAD v1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for older people with treatment-resistant generalised anxiety disorder (FACTOID)
IRAS ID
224111
Contact name
Rebecca Gould
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN12268776
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Z6364106/2017/02/20, UCL Data Protection Registration Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND: Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), characterised by a tendency to worry, is the most common anxiety disorder in older people. It is associated with distress, difficulty in coping, poor quality of life and increased disability. Medication and talking therapy are usually offered to those experiencing GAD, but many do not respond. Guidance as to how best manage GAD that does not respond to initial treatment (medication and/or conventional talking therapy) is lacking.
AIMS: The aim of the study is to assess how acceptable and feasible a new form of talking therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is to older people with treatment-resistant GAD. ACT helps people to learn different ways of coping with distressing thoughts and feelings, and how to take part in more activities that are meaningful to them.
METHODS: In this phase of the project, the acceptability and feasibility of the newly developed ACT intervention (IRAS ID: 214775) will be assessed in 40 older people with treatment-resistant GAD. Participants will be identified from self-referrals, GPs, talking therapy services and specialist mental health services. Those who are eligible will receive up to 16 sessions of face-to-face ACT in their own home, clinic or GP surgery, depending on physical mobility, level of anxiety and patient preference. Primary and secondary outcomes will examine the acceptability and feasibility of the intervention. Progress will also be assessed by asking participants at 0 and 20 weeks to complete questionnaires examining anxiety, worry, depression, quality of life, psychological functioning, and satisfaction with therapy. All therapists and 15 participants will be invited to complete interviews after completing the intervention to further assess how acceptable and feasible the intervention is. The results of the study will be used to inform the study design of a future clinical trial in this population (if the project is successful).
REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1314
Date of REC Opinion
29 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion