Outcomes from a pilot online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program for dementia family caregivers. (14th July 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fauth, Elizabeth B.; Novak, Josh R.; Levin, Michael E.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 26:Number 8(2022)
• Page Start: 1620
• Page End: 1629
• Publication Date: 2022-07-14
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- web-based intervention -- mindfulness -- quality of life -- depressive symptoms; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1942432
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Psychosocial and cognitive-behavioral dementia caregiver interventions are effective, yet accessing counselor/therapist-led programs can be costly and difficult. Face-to-face therapist-led Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is highly effective in dementia caregivers, as established by two different randomized control trials. The current study evaluates a pilot ACT for Caregivers program, which is a community-based, self-guided, online adaptation of ACT. Method: Participants ( N = 51; M age =66.0 S. D =11.7, 80% women) completed 10 self-guided sessions teaching ACT, along with accessing an online dementia education library. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA from pre-, posttest, and 4-week follow-up demonstrated decreased depressive symptoms, burden, and stress reactions to behavioral symptoms, and increased positive aspects of caregiving and quality of life. ACT-specific measures improved, with decreases in cognitive fusion and psychological inflexibility (AAQ-II), and improvements in living according to personal values (ValuingProgress increased; ValuingObstruction decreased). All outcomes were statistically significant (at p < .01) and sustained over 4-week follow-up. Although this was a non-clinical sample, the program demonstrated clinical significance, as average depressive symptoms were at the clinical cutoff at baseline, but one standard deviation below clinical cut-off at post-test and 4-week followup. Use of education materials was low (29% of participants used these, albeit rating them helpful), suggesting that ACT likely contributed more to overall improvements. Conclusion: The online ACT for Caregivers pilot program offers an empirically supported translation of traditional ACT, improving accessibility, and affordability for family dementia caregivers.