Acceptance and commitment therapy for the treatment of depression in persons with physical disability: a randomized controlled trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 34 (7) ◽  
pp. 938-947 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehdi Zemestani ◽  
Sharmin Mozaffari
Keyword(s):  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) on depressive symptoms in physically disabled persons. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: State welfare organization in Kamyaran, Kurdistan, Iran. Participants: Fifty-two physically disabled participants with a primary diagnosis of depression were randomly assigned to either ACT or control groups. Interventions: Participants in the ACT group ( n = 23) received eight weekly 90-minute group sessions based on standard ACT protocol for depression. Participants in the control group ( n = 29) received psychoeducation regarding depression. Main measures: Measures were recorded at baseline, eight weeks (end of treatment), and 16 weeks (follow-up). The outcomes were the change in the depressive symptoms, measured by Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being measured by Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II (AAQ-II), Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ), and Scales of Psychological Well-Being (SPWB), respectively. Results: After eight weeks, significant changes in depressive symptoms was observed in the experimental group (ACT –10.39 ± 0.79 vs control 0.66 ± 0.68, P < 0.001). Compared to the control group, the experimental group also showed significant improvement in psychological flexibility (ACT 8.13 ± 0.52 vs control –0.03 ± 0.51, P < 0.001), adaptive emotion regulation strategies (ACT 10.74 ± 0.62 vs control 0.03 ± 1.03, P < 0.001), and psychological well-being (ACT 66.95 ± 4.01 vs control –1.90 ± 1.04, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Compared with control group, ACT significantly reduced the participants’ depression, and changed psychological flexibility, emotion regulation, and psychological well-being in persons with physical disability.

scholarly journals The Effect of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Improving Psychological Well-Being in Parents of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 880
Author(s):  
Flavia Marino ◽  
Chiara Failla ◽  
Paola Chilà ◽  
Roberta Minutoli ◽  
Alfio Puglisi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

Background: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been demonstrated as effective in improving psychological well-being in several clinical domains, but there is no evidence regarding the parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we evaluated the efficacy of the ACT matrix behavioral protocol in comparison to the Parent Training (PT) program, measuring several primary and secondary outcomes prior to and following treatments. Twelve parents were randomly and equally assigned to two demographically matched groups wherein individuals underwent 24 weekly meetings of ACT protocol (experimental group) or conventional PT (control group). Results: Parents enrolled in the ACT protocol demonstrated significant improvement in psychological flexibility, awareness states, personal values in everyday life, and parental stress, whereas reduced scores were elicited in parents’ perceptions of their child’s disruptive behaviors. Conclusions: The results of this randomized controlled trial, if repeated with a large number of subjects, could open the way to include ACT protocols in daily practice to support the development of new parenting skills.

scholarly journals Effectiveness of a Web- and Mobile-Guided Psychological Intervention for Depressive Symptoms in Turkey: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burçin Ünlü Ince ◽  
Didem Gökçay ◽  
Heleen Riper ◽  
Pim Cuijpers
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Mobile App ◽  
Direct Access ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Clinical Effects ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
The Web

BACKGROUND In Turkey, there are serious deficiencies in mental health care. Although depression is highly prevalent, only a small number of people seek professional help. Innovative solutions are needed to overcome this treatment gap. Web-based problem-solving therapy (PST) is an intervention proven to be effective in the treatment of depression, although little is known about its clinical effects in Turkey. OBJECTIVE This study aims to test the clinical effects of a Web and mobile app of an adapted PST for depressive symptoms among the general population in Turkey. METHODS Participants will be recruited through announcements in social media and the Middle East Technical University. Adults (18-55 years) with mild to moderate depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II] score between 10-29) will be included in the study. Participants with a medium-to-high suicidal risk (according to the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview) will be excluded. A 3-armed randomized controlled trial with a waiting control group will be utilized. A sample size of 444 participants will be randomized across 3 groups. The first experimental group will receive direct access to the Web version of the intervention; the second experimental group will receive direct access to the mobile app of the intervention as well as automated supportive short message service text messages based on PST. The control group consists of a wait-list and will gain access to the intervention 4 months after the baseline. The intervention is based on an existing PST for the Turkish population, Her Şey Kontrol Altında (HŞKA), consisting of 5 modules each with a duration of 1 week and is guided by a clinical psychologist. The primary outcome is change in depressive symptoms measured by the BDI-II. Secondary outcomes include symptoms of anxiety, stress, worry, self-efficacy, and quality of life. Furthermore, satisfaction with, usability and acceptability of the intervention are important features that will be evaluated. All outcomes will take place online through self-assessment at posttest (6-8 weeks after baseline) and at follow-up (4 months after baseline). RESULTS We will recruit a total of 444 participants with mild to moderate depressive symptoms from March 2018 to February 2019 or until the recruitment is complete. We expect the final trial results to be available by the end of May 2019. This trial is funded by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (National Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme 2016/1). CONCLUSIONS Results from this study will reveal more information about the clinical effects of HŞKA as well as its applicability in a Turkish setting through the Web and mobile platforms. On the basis of the results, a guided Web- and mobile-based PST intervention might become an appropriate alternative for treating mild to moderate depressive symptoms. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03754829; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03754829 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/74HugwLo7). INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/13239

scholarly journals Home ovulation test use and stress during subfertility evaluation: Subarm of a randomized controlled trial

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 174550651983836
Author(s):  
Sarah Weddell ◽  
Georgina L Jones ◽  
Sheila Duffy ◽  
Cameron Hogg ◽  
Sarah Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Test Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
The Impact

Objectives: A prospective, randomized controlled trial in women seeking to conceive examined the impact of using ovulation tests on self-reported levels of stress, psychological well-being, and quality of life in women with unexplained infertility. Method: The test group used a home ovulation test to detect the day of ovulation, whereas the control group were provided with a predicted day of ovulation based on the average length of menstrual cycle reported during study recruitment. Volunteers collected their first morning urine samples to evaluate biochemical levels of stress (urinary cortisol and estrone-3-glucouronide) and completed questionnaires over two complete menstrual cycles. Results: Overall, the use of digital ovulation tests by sub-fertile women under medical care had negligible negative effects and no detectable positive benefit on psychological well-being, according to multiple measurements of stress by questionnaire and biochemical markers. No significant differences were found between groups for all stress measures at the various study time points, except in relation to “couple concordance” where the test group scored much higher than the control group (mean difference at end of study was 21.25 (95% confidence interval: 9.25, 33.25; P = 0.0015)). The maximum difference in log cortisol: creatinine ratio between the test and control groups was −0.28 (95% confidence interval: −0.69, 0.13). Conclusions: These results do not support propositions that using digital ovulation tests can cause stress in women trying to conceive.

scholarly journals Artificial Intelligence Chatbot for Anxiety and Depression for University Students: a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carolina Klos ◽  
Milagros Escoredo ◽  
Angie Joerin ◽  
Viviana Noemí Lemos ◽  
Michiel Rauws ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
College Students ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Anxiety Symptoms ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

BACKGROUND The use of artificial intelligence based chatbots as an instrument of psychological intervention is emerging, however no studies have been reported in Latin America. OBJECTIVE This study aims to evaluate usage patterns and whether the use of a chatbot is effective for relieving depression and anxiety symptoms compared to a control group utilizing a psychoeducation book in Argentina. METHODS This was a randomized controlled trial study utilizing the chabot Tess throughout eight weeks. The initial sample consisted of 181 Argentinian college students ages 18 to 33, 87.2% female. Of those, 33 participants in the experimental condition and 30 in the control condition provided data on depressive symptoms at week eight, and 27 participants in the experimental condition and 23 in the control condition provided data on anxiety symptoms at week eight. Between and within group comparisons were analysed using Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests for depression symptoms, and Independent and Paired Samples t Tests to analyze anxiety symptoms. RESULTS There was no significant intergroup differences between the experimental group and the control group for depression and anxiety symptoms from baseline to week eight (P>.05). However, there were significant intragroup differences, where the experimental group showed a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms (P=.04) and no differences were observed for the control group (P=.33). No significant differences were found for depressive symptoms within the groups (P>.05). The effect size of the intervention was moderate for anxiety (d=.50) and small for depression (r=.09). In regards to participants engagement after eight weeks, there was an average of 472 exchanged messages (M=472.15; SD=249.52) and a higher number of messages exchanged with Tess was associated with positive feedback (F2,36=4.37; P=.02). CONCLUSIONS Students engaged a considerable amount of time exchanging messages with Tess and positive feedback was associated with higher numbers of messages exchanged. The initial results show promising evidence for the use of Tess for anxiety symptoms and a lower effect on depressive symptoms in Argentinian college students. Research on chatbots is still in its initial stages and further research is needed.

scholarly journals An Exercise and Education Program Improves Well-Being of New Mothers: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2010 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 348-355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Norman ◽  
Margaret Sherburn ◽  
Richard H. Osborne ◽  
Mary P. Galea
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Postnatal Depression ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
New Mothers ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a physical therapy exercise and health care education program on the psychological well-being of new mothers. Design This was a randomized controlled trial. Participants Primiparous and multiparous English-speaking women ready for discharge from The Angliss Hospital postnatal ward were eligible for this study. Women who were receiving psychiatric care were excluded. One hundred sixty-one women were randomized into the trial. Intervention The experimental group (n=62) received an 8-week “Mother and Baby” (M&B) program, including specialized exercise provided by a women's health physical therapist combined with parenting education. The other group (education only [EO], n=73) received only the same educational material as the experimental group. Main Outcome Measures Psychological well-being (Positive Affect Balance Scale), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), and physical activity levels were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks (post-program), and then 4 weeks later. Results There was significant improvement in well-being scores and depressive symptoms of the M&B group compared with the EO group over the study period. More specifically, there was a significant positive effect on well-being scores and depressive symptoms at 8 weeks, and this effect was maintained 4 weeks after completion of the program. The number of women identified as “at risk” for postnatal depression pre-intervention was reduced by 50% by the end of the intervention. Limitations Although this study provides promising short-term (4-week) outcomes, further work is needed to explore whether the intervention effects are maintained as sustained psychological and behavioral benefits at 6 months. Conclusions A physical therapy exercise and health education program is effective in improving postnatal well-being. Routine use of this program may reduce longer-term problems such as postnatal depression.

scholarly journals The effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia: a parallel randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Behrouian ◽  
Tahereh Ramezani ◽  
Mahlagha Dehghan ◽  
Abdoreza Sabahi ◽  
Batool Ebrahimnejad Zarandi
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Psychological Traits ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Schizophrenia is the most severe mental chronic disabling disease that the majority of the patients need constant care in a variety of aspects. Regarding the role of family caregivers in taking care of these patients, caregivers need to be resilient, in addition to other psychological traits, to adapt to the circumstance. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the emotion regulation training on the resilience of caregivers of patients with schizophrenia in southeastern Iran. Methods The study was a parallel randomized controlled trial. Seventy caregivers of patients with schizophrenia were selected by convenience sampling method and randomly assigned to an emotion regulation training group and a control group. The intervention group received eight 90-min training sessions (one session weekly) about emotion regulation. The participants completed the Conner–Davidson resilience scale before and one month after the intervention. Results The mean scores of the resilience increased in the control and intervention groups at the end of the study. A significant difference was found between the two groups (p < 0.001). At the beginning of the study, the mean score of the resilience was 59.94 in the control group and 51.97 in the intervention group. However, the mean score of the resilience in the control group was 61.28 after the intervention, which was not significant, but it was 69.08 in the intervention group, which was significant. A significant difference was observed between two groups in the mean scores (p = 0.01). Conclusions According to the results of this study, cognitive and metacognitive skills of emotion regulation can be suggested as one of the methods for increasing the psychological well-being of schizophrenia patients’ caregivers. The increase of mental well-being and resilience of caregivers can help them better manage a patient with schizophrenia. Trial registration IRCT registration number: IRCT2017061733997N2, Registration date: 2017-08-16, 1396/05/25, Registration timing: prospective, https://en.irct.ir/trial/26116

scholarly journals Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) Improves Overall Stuttering Experience among Adults Who Stutter: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 2187
Author(s):  
Omrit Feldman ◽  
Eran Goldstien ◽  
Benjamin Rolnik ◽  
Ariel B. Ganz ◽  
Shahar Lev-Ari
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Stress Reduction ◽  
Satisfaction With Life ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Adults Who Stutter

Stuttering is a speech disorder that can cause disturbances in the timing and flow of speech. In addition to being a communication disorder, stuttering is often accompanied by a reduction in the quality of life and has impacts on social status, mental well-being, self-acceptance, and the chances of integration into the labor market. The Inquiry Based Stress Reduction (IBSR) program, developed in the United States by Byron Katie in 1986, is the clinical application of “The Work” method (Thework.com) and represents an emerging mindfulness and cognitive-reframing method. IBSR has been demonstrated to improve mental health and well-being in adults and may alleviate psychological and psychosocial symptoms of stuttering. The purpose of this trial was to examine the effect of a 12-week IBSR intervention on the overall stuttering experience and indicators of anxiety, psychological flexibility, and well-being among adults who stutter (AWS). This study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. Participants were randomized to IBSR (n = 28) and control (n = 28) groups. Validated questionnaires of overall stuttering experience (OASES-A), anxiety (STAI), psychological flexibility (PFQ), and satisfaction with life (SWLS) were completed before, after, and one month after the intervention. An intention-to-treat approach was implemented for analysis. Our results show that participants in the IBSR intervention group exhibited a greater improvement in their overall stuttering experience as compared to the control group, as well as in general information on stuttering awareness and perception, reactions to stuttering, communication in daily situations, and quality of life. In addition, we found a greater reduction in anxiety levels and an increase in satisfaction-with-life scores in the IBSR group. These results indicate that IBSR can improve the overall stuttering experience.

scholarly journals Efficacy of axial TheraTogs on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy: a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shamekh Mohamed El-Shamy ◽  
Ehab Mohamed Abd El Kafy
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Muscle Tone ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Gait Pattern ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Gait Parameters ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background TheraTogs promotes proprioceptive sense of a child with cerebral palsy and improves abnormal muscle tone, posture alignment, balance, and gait. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of TheraTogs orthotic undergarment on gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Thirty children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy were selected for this randomized controlled study. They were randomly assigned to (1) an experimental group that received TheraTogs orthotic undergarment (12 h/day, 3 days/week) plus traditional physical therapy for 3 successive months and (2) a control group that received only traditional physical therapy program for the same time period. Gait parameters were measured at baseline and after 3 months of intervention using Pro-Reflex motion analysis. Results Children in both groups showed significant improvements in the gait parameters (P < 0.05), with significantly greater improvements in the experimental group than in the control group. Conclusions The use of TheraTogs may have a positive effect to improve gait pattern in children with dyskinetic cerebral palsy. Trial registration This trial was registered in the ClinicalTrial.gov PRS (NCT03037697).

scholarly journals The Influence of Connectedness to Nature on Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from the Randomized Controlled Trial Play&Grow

Challenges ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 12
Author(s):  
Tanja Sobko ◽  
Gavin T. L. Brown
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Psychological Well Being ◽  
Connectedness To Nature ◽  
Randomized Controlled

Urbanized children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature which may lead to a greater risk of mental health problems. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate which particular changes in connectedness to nature (CN) would improve psychological well-being (PW) in young children. Six hundred and thirty-nine preschoolers (52.0% boys, age 34.9 ± 9.5 months) participated in Play&Grow, an early environmental education intervention. Children’s CN and PW were evaluated by parents before and after the program with validated measures; the CNI-PPC (four factors) and the SDQ, Strength and Difficulties questionnaire (five factors), respectively. The effectiveness of the intervention on the primary outcomes (CN, PW) as well as the relationship between them was analyzed in a repeated measures path model with intervention status as a causal predictor. Specific CN factors consistently increased ProSocial behavior and reduced Hyperactivity and Emotional problems. In summary, this study showed that the previously reported impact shifted from the total CN score to the specific CN factors. The Play&Grow intervention positively increased children’s CN and improved some aspects of psychological well-being in children which is a preliminary evidence of developmental benefits of connecting young children with nature. Our results indicate promising direction of action for the improvement of families’ psychological health.

scholarly journals The ACTyourCHANGE study protocol: promoting a healthy lifestyle in patients with obesity with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy—a randomized controlled trial

Trials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Guerrini Usubini ◽  
Roberto Cattivelli ◽  
Emanuele Maria Giusti ◽  
Francesco Vailati Riboni ◽  
Giorgia Varallo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment Therapy ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Psychological Flexibility ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Commitment Therapy ◽  
Acceptance And Commitment

Abstract Background As treatment of choice in promoting psychological flexibility, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) was found to be effective in several conditions, and among different populations, including weight management in individuals with obesity. However, the mechanism of action of psychological flexibility is less known. The aim of the present study is, within the context of a brief ACT intervention for behavioral change and behavioral maintenance of a healthy lifestyle in a sample of inpatients with obesity, to explore the effect of each subcomponent of the psychological flexibility model on treatment processes and outcomes. Methods A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. Ninety Italian adult inpatients with obesity attending a rehabilitation program for weight loss will be randomly allocated into three experimental conditions targeting respectively each subcomponent of the psychological flexibility model: group Engage focused on values-oriented behaviors, group Openness focused on acceptance and cognitive defusion, and group Awareness focused on being present and aware of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors at every moment. Weight, BMI (kg/m2), the Psychological General Well-Being Inventory (PGWBI), the Outcome Questionnaire-45.2 (OQ-45.2), the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Dutch Eating Behaviors Questionnaire (DEBQ), the Brief Values Inventory (BVI), the Committed Action Questionnaire (CAQ), the Italian-Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire (I-CFQ), the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-II) will be assessed at the beginning (time 0), at the end of psychological intervention (time 1), and after 3 (time 2) and 6 months (time 3) and 9 months (time 4) from discharge. During the following month after discharge, outpatients will be monitored in their adherence to a healthy lifestyle, using a wearable device. To assess the effectiveness of the intervention, mixed between-within 3 (conditions) × 4 (times) repeated measure ANOVAs will be conducted to examine changes from time 0 to time 1, 2, 3, and 4 in means of weight, BMI, and means of scores PGWBI, OQ-45.2, DASS, DERS, DEBQ, AAQ-II, BVI, CAQ, I-CFQ, and FFMQ, between three groups. Discussion This study will contribute to clarify the mechanism of action of each subcomponent of the psychological flexibility model and understand its impact on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT04474509. Registered on July 4, 2020

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