ACT for carers of people with dementia - a feasibility study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A feasibility study of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to promote the wellbeing of carers of people with dementia
IRAS ID
202916
Contact name
Hamish McLeod
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a therapy that helps people to notice and accept difficult thoughts and emotions. ACT also helps people to identify what they value in life (e.g. a good relationship with their partner) and make changes to their behaviour to promote these values (Hayes, Luoma, Bond, Masuda, & Lillis, 2006). Carers of people with dementia may experience poor reduced wellbeing associated with their role. Those whose wellbeing is greater than previously are said to be ‘flourishing’ (Keyes, 2002).
Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential value of ACT as a group intervention for carers of people with dementia.
Methods: Participants will include adult carers of people with dementia. Study participants will be identified from two older people community mental health teams. Informed consent will be sought prior to group invitations being sent out. There will be two groups in total (12 in each group) and both groups will attend three 2.5 hour sessions of ACT. All participants will complete questionnaires at the beginning and 21 days later (asking questions about their thoughts and feelings, flourishing and about being a carer). Eight group participants will be invited to a focus group to understand what they found more helpful and less helpful.
Applications: Results from this study will potentially provide useful information to enable a further study with more participants to be conducted. The outcomes of this study will be shared with older people community mental health teams, dementia and carer specialist groups and potentially published in a relevant journal.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
16/WS/0240
Date of REC Opinion
5 Dec 2016
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion