BrainACT Group Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Can BrainACT be delivered as a group intervention to adults with acquired brain injury (ABI): A study looking at feasibility and acceptability.
IRAS ID
366153
Contact name
Caroline Cresswell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 8 months, 29 days
Research summary
People who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI), such as a stroke of a traumatic brain injury, often struggle with emotional difficulties like anxiety and depression. These difficulties can impact an individual’s daily life, relationship, independence, and overall wellbeing. However, many people do not receive enough psychological support after their injury. There is a need for therapies that are suitable accessible and effective for this group.
BrainACT is a talking therapy based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings, respond more flexibly to them, and reconnect with what matters in their life. BrainACT has already been shown to be feasible when delivered one-to-one, with some signals of clinical change. Adapting BrainACT for group delivery could make the intervention more cost-effective and allow people to benefit from peer support, which many people with ABI value.
This study will explore whether it is feasible and acceptable to run BrainACT as a group programme for adults with ABI who experience low mood or anxiety. Preliminary signals of change in mood, health related quality of life, and ACT processes (psychological flexibility, valued living, and cognitive fusion) will also be explored. Two groups will be run, one face-to-face and one online. Each group will meet weekly for eight sessions, participants will be asked to complete questionnaires before and after the programme. The group facilitators will also take part in a focus group to discuss what helped or made delivery more difficult. The chief investigator will observe the group sessions to obtain ethnographic data to support our understanding of the feasibility and acceptability of the group.
This is not a test of whether the therapy works, but rather whether running BrainACT in a group setting is practical, acceptable, and worthwhile.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
26/NI/0021
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion