None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
According to the 2022 ESC/ERS Pulmonary Hypertension Guidelines, receiving a diagnosis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH) can be a very difficult experience for many individuals. This particular diagnosis not only causes a substantial impact on the physical aspect, but also on psychological, social, and emotional aspects of patients and their families. Existing studies on PAH have primarily centered on clinical outcomes, disregarding the psychological aspects faced by patients. Consequently, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the best practices for managing psychological issues related to this illness. Limited research has been conducted to examine the efficacy of ACT therapy among patients with chronic illnesses, specifically PAH. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the feasibility of ACT in improving both clinical and psychological outcomes among patients with PAH in Malaysia, specifically in National Heart Institute. Thirty participants will be recruited via purposive sampling method from National Heart Institute, Malaysia. By conducting this feasibility study, it is expected that the research outcomes will facilitate the development of a comprehensive treatment approach for managing challenges faced by patients with this condition.
Interventions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychotherapy that has been an effective approach for chronic illnesses. This type of therapy focuses on six core principles that promote psychological flexibility among individuals which include the following: (1) acceptance, (2) cognitive defusion, (3) mindfulness, (4) self as context (5) values (6) committed action. The primary aim of ACT is to help patients with PAH achieve psychological flexibility through learning the skills based on the six c
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a psychotherapy that has been an effective approach for chronic illnesses. This type of therapy focuses on six core principles that promote psychological flexibility among individuals which include the following: (1) acceptance, (2) cognitive defusion, (3) mindfulness, (4) self as context (5) values (6) committed action. The primary aim of ACT is to help patients with PAH achieve psychological flexibility through learning the skills based on the six core principles. It is a group-based intervention that will be conducted physically with each group accommodating 8 to 10 participants. There will be 3 groups in total, each lasting two hours and spanning a total duration of six weeks. The intervention will be conducted by clinical psychologists who are trained in the ACT approach with a minimum of 2 years of experience and with at least 4 years of experience in the field of mental health. Summary of the intervention: Week 1 - Welcoming the participants and introducing the team - A brief overview of the purpose of the programme and the content of each session - Explaining the basic ACT core principles - The nature of symptoms associated with PAH and getting caught in the struggle - Homework: Attempted solutions and their long-term effects exercise Week 2 - Reflections on the homework, opportunity for questions - What is Mindfulness and how is it useful? - Embedding Mindfulness into daily activities (eating, walking, communication, acts of kindness) - Group body scan exercise - Homework: Daily Mindfulness practice sheet Week 3 - Reflecting on Mindfulness practice - What is defusion and how to hold self-stories lightly - Brief Observer self exercise - Passengers on the bus’ metaphor and group discussion - Homework based on ‘Passengers on the bus’ Week 4 - Reflection on homework and Mindfulness practice - Self-compassion explained - Self-care activities - Eight practices for recovery and a life well-lived - Homework: Growing circle of self-care Week 5 - Reflecting on self-care and self-compassion - Acceptance as opposed to avoidance - Acceptance physical exercise - What are values and why are they important? - Matrix interview exercise - Homework: Values clarification exercise Week 6 - Brief reflection on values - Committed actions towards a rich, meaningful life - The willingness and Action Plan exercise - How will you take this forward? - Final conclusions and reminder about follow-up Process-Evaluation Components for Complex Interventions proposed by Reelick et al. (2011) will be utilised to monitor the feasibility of ACT intervention implementation including: - Quality of delivery of the intervention components - Implementation barriers and facilitators for delivery of intervention components - Adherence to intervention components - Barriers and facilitators for adherence to intervention components
Sponsors
Faeza Hasnan - Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Primary purpose
Treatment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
1. Individuals must be 18 years and above 2. Individuals must be diagnosed with PAH 3. Individuals who are clinically stable with low to intermediate risk as determined by REVEAL 2.0 4. Individuals who are proficient in English or Malay language (in terms of reading, writing, and speaking) 5. Individuals who are capable of committing to six consecutive weekly sessions 6. Individuals who provide full consent to participate
Exclusion criteria
1. Individuals who are formally diagnosed with mental disorders 2. Individuals who are undergoing psychiatric medications or treatments 3. Individuals who are currently receiving psychological interventions
Outcome results
None listed