None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
This project aims to evaluate the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in improving the quality of life and mental health of older adults living in aged care facilities. We also aim to determine the feasibility of this approach when implemented as part of a psychology student placement program and its acceptance to older adults and their professional carers. Older adults living in residential care facilities often report poor quality of life and are at a high risk depression and anxiety. Despite this, this population has very limited access to nonpharmacological interventions and support. Our team is currently establishing a placement program for Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) candidates, who will deliver a structured program of ACT to residents across three aged care facilities, under supervision, in 2013. This therapy has proven effective and popular for use with younger adults, but has not yet been evaluated in aged care settings. The placement program offers an opportunity for future clinical psychologists to gain experience in working with older adults, and helps address the shortage of trained mental health clinicians in aged care settings. This study will use a randomized controlled design to evaluate the effectiveness of this student-led intervention in improving quality of life, as well as reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, compared to a control group. The results of this study will be used to inform our future training program, as well as contribute to the literature on the effectiveness of psychological interventions with older adults residing in residential care settings. Participants will include 36 aged care residents who will be randomly allocated to the intervention or control group, with control participants offered the intervention at the end of the study. The intervention consists of 12 individual 60minute sessions delivered by a student psychologist twice weekly. The intervention will be evaluated using measures related to quality of life, symptoms of depression and anxiety, with satisfaction and feasibility determined in postintervention interviews with the participants and facility staff.
Interventions
12 sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The aim of ACT is to maximise a person’s potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT does this by: a) teaching mindfulness skills, b) helping the client to clarify their values - then using that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate the client to change their life for the better.
ACT will be administered in individual sessions (2 x 60 minute sessions per week for 6 weeks) by Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) candidates, under sup
12 sessions of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). The aim of ACT is to maximise a person’s potential for a rich, full and meaningful life. ACT does this by: a) teaching mindfulness skills, b) helping the client to clarify their values - then using that knowledge to guide, inspire and motivate the client to change their life for the better. ACT will be administered in individual sessions (2 x 60 minute sessions per week for 6 weeks) by Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) candidates, under supervision from the research team. Attendence record will be kept and treatment adherence will be monitored in weekly supervision sessions.
Sponsors
Dr Tanya Davison
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
60 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Permanent resident in aged care facility. Facility staff reports of mental health concern or adjustment difficulty or poor quality of life. Fluency in English.
Exclusion criteria
Substantial cognitive impairment (MMSE < 19). Severe medical illness that would compromise participation in psychtherapy.
Outcome results
None listed