None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
People living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are susceptible to anxiety and depression, with up to 66% reporting symptoms of these disorders. Those with IBD who have anxiety and/or depression experience more frequent flare-ups, a more aggressive disease, and increased rates of hospital admissions and surgery. The present trial aims to establish whether including a psychotherapy program, ACTforIBD, into usual care for IBD is practical and whether it has a potential to improve wellbeing in IBD. ACTforIBD is an 8-week telehealth intervention that draws on Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT). ACT encourages acceptance of the incurable disease and improves people’s ability to work with problems that cannot be easily solved. To date, only one study examined ACT in IBD demonstrating its preliminary efficacy, but no studies targeting people with IBD and anxiety/depression are available. The program has been evaluated with good results by a consumer group.
Interventions
Our intervention is consistent with the core principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and tailored to IBD. The ACTforIBD program includes eight fully-scripted modules, each addressing a different ACT theme or principle. Module 1 introduces ACT and explores the client’s experiences and struggles. Module 2 explores the client’s avoidance behaviours. Module 3 focuses on exploring the personal values the client holds. Module 4 introduces mindfulness practice. Module 5 explores cognitive
Our intervention is consistent with the core principles of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and tailored to IBD. The ACTforIBD program includes eight fully-scripted modules, each addressing a different ACT theme or principle. Module 1 introduces ACT and explores the client’s experiences and struggles. Module 2 explores the client’s avoidance behaviours. Module 3 focuses on exploring the personal values the client holds. Module 4 introduces mindfulness practice. Module 5 explores cognitive fusion and defusion. Module 6 focuses on willingness and acceptance. Module 7 revisits the client’s values and establishes goals. Module 8 focuses on commitment and overcoming barriers moving forward. ACTforIBD has a blended design: the first three sessions and the last session are therapist-led (via Zoom/Skype), and the between sessions are self-led (using a website designed specifically for this study). The website includes interactive modules consisting of text, short videos and audio recordings. It also has in-built website analytics, including participant login times to monitor adherence. The sessions occur weekly for 8 weeks and take 1 hour (duration established as effective). The goals of treatment with this program broadly include: assisting clients to define valued directions and take committed action in the direction of their identified values, increasing understanding and insight into the client’s personal experiences by promoting presence and increasing cognitive defusion; improved coping with physical symptoms through the process of acceptance and cognitive defusion; and increasing psychological flexibility around psychological distress associated with IBD. The specific goals of treatment with each person will vary depending on their symptoms, life experiences and importantly, what they want to gain from therapy.
Sponsors
Deakin University
Study design
Allocation
Randomised controlled trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Educational / counselling / training
Masking
Blinded (masking used) (Subject, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Diagnosis of IBD: Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or indeterminate colitis established by a health professional using standard criteria (evidence can include a letter from a doctor, results of endoscopy or any other medical document confirming the diagnosis); Distress: scores 16-29 on K10 (screening for distress will take place after consent has been obtained); Age: 18 years and older; Language: Able to read and write in English; Residence: Live in Australia or New Zealand; Other: Access to the internet
Exclusion criteria
No distress (scores <16 on K10); Severe distress (scores 30-50 on K10) as it is anticipated that these participants would require a more intensive therapeutic approach before benefiting from the current intervention.
Outcome results
None listed