Compassion Focused Therapy for people with Dementia
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Compassion Focused Therapy for people with Dementia: a feasibility and pilot study
IRAS ID
196908
Contact name
Aimee Spector
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University College London
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Dementia is one of the most feared conditions by older adults and receiving a diagnosis can lead to sense of loss of the self and identity. There can be stigma attached to the label, often leading to feelings of shame and embarrassment, self-criticism, and a fear of social exclusion. Following receiving a diagnosis low mood and anxiety can develop. Psychological interventions can reduce symptoms and improve wellbeing in people with dementia, however it is not clear which treatments are effective for this population.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) encourages turning towards suffering rather than avoiding it, being sensitive to your own distress and developing self-empathy, learning to tolerate difficult feelings, and accepting yourself rather than being judgemental. Self-compassion is associated with greater subjective wellbeing in older adults, and CFT is effective in a range of psychological disorders where shame and self-criticism are common underlying processes.
There is one case study that adapted CFT for people with dementia and their carers. A group has also been piloted and evaluated for couples with a diagnosis of dementia. Group CFT was feasible to deliver, people appeared to like it, it had positive benefits on mood and anxiety, and participants were able to acquire self-compassion skills. However there is no standarised guide or manual to assist clinicians to deliver this treatment.
This project will investigate the feasibility of individual time-focused CFT for a small number of people with dementia who are suffering with depression and/or anxiety in outpatient NHS settings. The researcher will develop a manual based on the case study and CFT group, following a systematic literature review and consultation with relevant experts. Measures will be completed with participants prior to the intervention, at the mid-point, and following the intervention by an assessor. Interviews will also be carried out post-treatment to explore participants’ experience of the intervention.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0588
Date of REC Opinion
18 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion