Feasibility study of an online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention to promote staff wellbeing in palliative care settings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Finucane ◽  
David Gillanders
2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 230-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diane L. Whiting ◽  
Frank P. Deane ◽  
Grahame K. Simpson ◽  
Joseph Ciarrochi ◽  
Hamish J. Mcleod

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (5) ◽  
pp. 685-704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther L Davis ◽  
Frank P Deane ◽  
Geoffrey CB Lyons

Undertaking a caregiving role at end of life can have enduring psychological consequences for carers, including poor adjustment in bereavement. Acceptance and commitment therapy–based interventions have demonstrated effectiveness in helping people cope with a range of life challenges. This article presents the protocol of a feasibility randomised controlled trial of an acceptance and commitment therapy self-help intervention for psychological distress and grief in carers of patients in palliative care. We will assess feasibility and acceptability of the trial procedures and intervention as well as preliminary effectiveness of the intervention on carer well-being outcomes.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola R Hemmings ◽  
Jamie M Kawadler ◽  
Rachel Whatmough ◽  
Sonia Ponzo ◽  
Alessio Rossi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterised by excessive worry that is difficult to control and has high comorbidity with mood disorders including depression. Individuals experience long wait times for diagnosis and often face accessibility barriers to treatment. There is a need for a digital solution that is accessible and acceptable to those with GAD. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to describe the development of a digital intervention prototype of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for GAD that sits within an existing wellbeing app platform, BioBase. A pilot feasibility study evaluating acceptability, usability and efficacy study is conducted in a sample of adults with a diagnosis of GAD, self-referred to the study. METHODS Phase 1 applied the person-based approach (creation of guiding principles, intervention design objectives and the key intervention features). In Phase 2 participants received the app-based therapeutic and paired wearable for two weeks. Self-report questionnaires were obtained at baseline and post-treatment. The primary outcome was psychological flexibility (AAQ-II) as this is the aim of ACT. Mental wellbeing (WEMWBS) and symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7) and depression (PHQ-9) were also assessed. Post-treatment usability was assessed via self-report measures (SUS) in addition to interviews that further explored feasibility of the digital intervention in this sample. RESULTS The app-based therapeutic was well received. Of 13 participants, 10 (77%) completed the treatment. Results show a high usability rating (83.5). Participants found the digital intervention to be relevant, useful and helpful in managing their anxiety. Participants had lower anxiety (d=0.69) and depression (d=0.84) scores at exit, and these differences were significantly different from baseline. Participants had higher psychological flexibility and wellbeing scores at exit, although these were not significantly different from baseline. CONCLUSIONS This ACT prototype within BioBase is an acceptable and feasible digital intervention, with evidence of preliminary efficacy in reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression. This study suggests this intervention warrants a larger feasibility study in adults with GAD.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105413732110001
Author(s):  
K. Jones ◽  
A. Methley ◽  
G. Boyle ◽  
R. Garcia ◽  
J. Vseteckova

This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for managing grief experienced by bereaved spouses or partners of adults who had received palliative care. Systematic searches were undertaken on seven bibliographic databases and grey literature was also searched. The review was informed by the use of the PICO framework and PRISMA-P guidelines. Initially 30 relevant papers were identified, but only two international studies met the criteria for inclusion. One was a qualitative, doctoral study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis; the other, a randomized controlled trial comparing ACT with usual psychosocial support. These studies showed some evidence of benefit for bereaved individuals, particularly by promoting the acceptance of troubling emotions. However, this type of therapy may be more effective in reducing psychological distress rather than grief. Further research is needed into the value of ACT in addressing grief following bereavement.


2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. e103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Batink ◽  
Jindra Bakker ◽  
Thomas Vaessen ◽  
Zuzana Kasanova ◽  
Dina Collip ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Anne Finucane ◽  
Nicholas J Hulbert-Williams ◽  
Brooke Swash ◽  
Juliet A Spiller ◽  
Brigid Lydon ◽  
...  

Background Palliative care workers commonly experience workplace stress and distress. General stressors include unmanageable workloads and staff shortages.  Stressors specific to palliative care include regular exposure to death, loss and grief.  The COVID pandemic exacerbated exhaustion and burnout across the healthcare system, including for those providing palliative care.  Evidence based psychological support interventions, tailored to the needs and context of palliative care workers, are needed.  Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an established form of cognitive behavioural therapy which uses behavioural psychology, values, acceptance, and mindfulness techniques to improve mental health and wellbeing. ACT is effective in improving workplace wellbeing in many occupational settings.  Our study examines the acceptability and feasibility of an online ACT-based intervention to improve mental health and wellbeing in staff caring for people with an advanced progressive illness. Methods A single-arm feasibility trial.  We will seek to recruit 30 participants to take part in an 8- week online ACT-based intervention, consisting of three synchronous facilitated group sessions and five asynchronous self-directed learning modules.  We will use convergent mixed methods to evaluate the feasibility of the intervention. Quantitative feasibility outcomes will include participant recruitment and retention rates, alongside completion rates of measures assessing stress, quality of life, wellbeing, and psychological flexibility.  Focus groups and interviews will explore participant perspectives on the intervention. We will run a stakeholder workshop to further refine the intervention and identify outcomes for use in a future evaluation. Results We will describe participant perspectives on intervention acceptability, format, content, and perceived impact alongside rates of intervention recruitment, retention, and outcome measure completion. Conclusion We will show whether a brief, online ACT intervention is acceptable to, and feasible for palliative care workers.  Findings will be used to further refine the intervention and provide essential information on outcome assessment prior to a full-scale evaluation.


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