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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07656220

An Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Psychoeducation Single Session Intervention on Childhood Anxiety for Carers of Children With a Long-Term Health Condition

The goal of this feasibility study was to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the ACT-based training package for carers of children with a long-term health condition (LTHC) who also experience anxiety.

The main aims were to answer:

Is the intervention feasible? Is the intervention acceptable?

The secondary aim were to answer:

Does the intervention impact how carers approach and manage their child's anxiety?

Participants completed two questionnaires, prior to watching the online training videos. They were then asked to complete another questionnaire. Two weeks later, participants were contacted via email to complete two questionnaires, one of which was a repeat from prior to completing the training.

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Key information

Conditions

Long-term Health Conditions Anxiety Disorders Mental Disorders

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of East Anglia (UEA)

Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7UJ, United Kingdom

About this study

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed, single-session, online psychoeducational training designed to support caregivers in managing their child's anxiety associated with their long-term health condition (LTHC). The study also explored preliminary changes in caregiver knowledge and approaches to managing anxiety following the intervention.

This study used a quantitative, within-subjects feasibility design. Caregivers of children aged 5-12 years with a diagnosed long-term health condition were recruited. All participants received the intervention, with no control group.

The intervention consisted of a 22-minute online training package delivered via three videos. The content is based on ACT principles and includes psychoeducation about anxiety, ACT-based metaphors and exercises to consider using with their child. The material in the training was specifically designed to support children with a LTHC, rather than generic support for anxiety.

Participants completed measures prior to the intervention, including a demographic questionnaire and the Parent Attitudes, Beliefs and Understanding about Anxiety (PABUA). Immediately following the training, participants completed a structured feedback questionnaire assessing the acceptability and accessibility of the intervention. Two weeks after completing the training, participants were invited via email to complete follow-up measures, including a repeat of the PABUA and a follow-up feedback questionnaire to assess use and perceived usefulness of the strategies.

Feasibility outcomes include recruitment rates, retention rates, and participant-reported acceptability of the intervention and study procedures. Secondary outcomes include changes in caregiver knowledge, beliefs, and confidence in managing their child's anxiety (measured by the PABUA).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Primary care giver of children aged 5-12 years
  • The child has a long term health condition (LTHC)

Exclusion criteria

  • Carers of children with a learning disability or waiting for an assessment for a learning disability, not including ADHD or dyslexia. This does however include Autism.
  • Participants must be over 18
  • Access to their own electronic device
  • Not have sufficient proficiency in spoken English

Treatment and study plan

Psychoeducation for anxiety

Behavioral

The intervention was made up of 3 videos, totalling 22 minutes. The videos incorporated psychoeducation on anxiety and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based skills for carers to consider using to support their child with anxiety. All material was based on children with long term health conditions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Structured Feedback Questionnaire

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention

    Measure to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the training, for example assessing the consent process and format of the training. The measure uses a scale of strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).

  2. Follow-up Structured Feedback Questionnaire

    Time frame: 2-week follow-up

    Measure to assess barriers to engaging with the strategies since the training and reviewing usefulness of the strategies used. The measure uses a scale of strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Parent, Attitudes, Beliefs and Understanding about Anxiety (PABUA) (Wolk et al, 2016)

    Time frame: Pre-intervention and 2-week follow-up

    The measure was designed to evaluate parental beliefs about their child's anxiety, as well as their perceived ability to cope and manage their child's anxiety. The measure uses a scale of strongly disagree (1) to strongly agree (5).

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of East Anglia

Other

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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