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NCT Number: NCT03839329

Group Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT) With Healthy Older Adults

The current study aims to explore the impact of a two-session group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared to an assessment-only control on psychological outcomes in healthy older adults. The proposed study has two main objectives.

1. Examine the impact the intervention on targeted ACT processes over time 2. Examine the impact of the intervention on aspects of eudaimonic well-being over time

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Key information

Conditions

Aging Behavior Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Quality of Life

Age range

65 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States

About this study

Older adults are a growing segment of our population, and this period of life presents a variety of physical, emotional, environmental, and cognitive changes, even for healthy individuals. The current study aims to explore the impact of a two-session group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention compared to an assessment-only control on psychological outcomes in healthy, community-dwelling older adults.

Participants will be randomly assigned (stratified by sex) to the ACT group condition or to an assessment-only control group. After randomization, those in the assessment-only control group will be asked to complete four assessments via mail (baseline, one-month, three-month, and six-month). The intervention group will participate in a brief group ACT intervention occurring over two sessions (90 minutes each, approximately one week apart). Intervention participants will also complete assessments at baseline and at one-month, three-months, and six-months post-intervention.

The specific aims and hypotheses of the current study are:

Specific Aim #1: To examine longitudinal between-group differences in targeted ACT processes including psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioral awareness, and valued action) and satisfaction with social roles and activities from baseline to follow-up. We hypothesize that there will be significant time by group interaction, such that psychological flexibility and satisfaction with social roles and activities will increase significantly more in the intervention group relative to the assessment-only control group.

Specific Aim #2: To examine longitudinal between-group differences in eudaimonic well-being (purpose in life and personal growth) from baseline to follow-up. We hypothesize that there will be significant time by group interactions, such that purpose in life and personal growth will increase significantly more in the intervention group relative to the assessment-only control group.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • healthy, community-dwelling older adult (age 65-99)

Exclusion criteria

  • significant primary psychiatric disease
  • medications that have the potential to affect cognitive functioning
  • neurological events

Treatment and study plan

Acceptance and Commitment Training

Behavioral

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is an acceptance- and mindfulness-based psychotherapy that aims to foster psychological flexibility.

Other names: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, ACT

Primary outcomes

  1. Differences in change over time between conditions on The Comprehensive Assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes (CompACT)

    Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up

    The CompACT is a self-report measure of psychological flexibility. Total scores on the measure range from 0-138 with higher scores indicative of greater psychological flexibility.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Differences in change over time between conditions on the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System's (PROMIS) 8-item Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities scale

    Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up

    The PROMIS 8-item Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities scale is a self-report measure. Total scores on the measure are converted to T scores.

  2. Differences in change over time between conditions on the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Purpose in Life Scale

    Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up

    Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Purpose in Life Scale is a self-report measure. Total scores range from 14-84, with higher scores indicative of greater purpose in life.

  3. Differences in change over time between conditions on the Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Personal Growth Scale

    Time frame: baseline, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month post-intervention follow-up

    Ryff's Scales of Psychological Well-Being 14-item Personal Growth Scale is a self-report measure. Total scores range from 14-84, with higher scores indicative of greater personal growth.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Anne Roche, MA

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Well-being in ACTion: Examining the Impact of Acceptance and Commitment Training in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Feb 15, 2019
Registry last updated
Nov 13, 2020

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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