Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic intervention whose aim is to reduce experiential avoidance and promote psychological flexibility, which involves engaging in values-based behaviour while accepting painful internal experiences with openness and awareness. A growing body of research supports the efficacy of brief ACT for a variety of issues, including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and stress. Given that ACT is a transdiagnostic intervention that targets the core processes related to human suffering, this treatment may be particularly useful for implementation in primary care with diverse groups of individuals and presentations. The objective of this study is to develop and pilot test a brief, virtual, group-based ACT intervention for depression and anxiety delivered in primary care settings to determine if a future randomized controlled trial of this group treatment is both warranted and feasible. The investigators will examine (1) the feasibility and acceptability of the study procedures, (2) clinician adherence to the treatment protocol, and (3) a preliminary analysis of the treatment effectiveness. A total of 3 groups (N = 30-45) will be conducted via three primary care clinics in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The group treatment will be delivered over four 90-minute sessions. Participants will complete assessment measures at pretreatment, post-treatment, and at two follow-up time points (1-month post-treatment and 3-6-months post-treatment). All assessments and treatment sessions will be conducted virtually via videoconferencing platform.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
31
Brief acceptance and commitment therapy
ACCESS Downtown
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
ACCESS Winnipeg West
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
ACCESS Fort Garry
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-Items
21 items measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in the past week. Scores range from 0-42 for each of 3 scales (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms).
Time frame: Pretreatment
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-Items
21 items measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in the past week. Scores range from 0-42 for each of 3 scales (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms).
Time frame: 1 week following last treatment session
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-Items
21 items measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in the past week. Scores range from 0-42 for each of 3 scales (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms).
Time frame: 1-month follow-up
Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale 21-Items
21 items measuring depression, anxiety, and stress in the past week. Scores range from 0-42 for each of 3 scales (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress). Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (greater severity of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms).
Time frame: 3-6-month follow-up
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II
7 items measuring experiential avoidance. Scores range from 7-49. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (less psychological flexibility).
Time frame: Pretreament
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II
7 items measuring experiential avoidance. Scores range from 7-49. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (less psychological flexibility).
Time frame: 1 week following last treatment session
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II
7 items measuring experiential avoidance. Scores range from 7-49. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (less psychological flexibility).
Time frame: 1-month Follow-up
Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II
7 items measuring experiential avoidance. Scores range from 7-49. Higher scores indicate worse outcomes (less psychological flexibility).
Time frame: 3-6-month Follow-up
Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes
23 items measuring psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioural awareness, and valued action). Total score ranges from 0-138; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater psychological flexibility). Openness to Experience subscale ranges from 0-60; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater openness). Behavioural Awareness subscale ranges from 0-30; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater behavioural awareness). Valued Action subscale ranges from 0-48; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater valued action).
Time frame: Pretreatment
Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes
23 items measuring psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioural awareness, and valued action). Total score ranges from 0-138; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater psychological flexibility). Openness to Experience subscale ranges from 0-60; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater openness). Behavioural Awareness subscale ranges from 0-30; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater behavioural awareness). Valued Action subscale ranges from 0-48; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater valued action).
Time frame: 1 week following last treatment session
Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes
23 items measuring psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioural awareness, and valued action). Total score ranges from 0-138; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater psychological flexibility). Openness to Experience subscale ranges from 0-60; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater openness). Behavioural Awareness subscale ranges from 0-30; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater behavioural awareness). Valued Action subscale ranges from 0-48; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater valued action).
Time frame: 1-month Follow-up
Comprehensive assessment of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy processes
23 items measuring psychological flexibility (openness to experience, behavioural awareness, and valued action). Total score ranges from 0-138; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater psychological flexibility). Openness to Experience subscale ranges from 0-60; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater openness). Behavioural Awareness subscale ranges from 0-30; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater behavioural awareness). Valued Action subscale ranges from 0-48; higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater valued action).
Time frame: 3-6-month Follow-up
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form
16 items measuring level of satisfaction in different life domains (e.g., work, leisure activities, relationships). Scores range from 14-70. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater life satisfaction and enjoyment).
Time frame: Pretreatment
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form
16 items measuring level of satisfaction in different life domains (e.g., work, leisure activities, relationships). Scores range from 14-70. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater life satisfaction and enjoyment).
Time frame: 1 week following last treatment session
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form
16 items measuring level of satisfaction in different life domains (e.g., work, leisure activities, relationships). Scores range from 14-70. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater life satisfaction and enjoyment).
Time frame: 1-month Follow-up
Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire - Short Form
16 items measuring level of satisfaction in different life domains (e.g., work, leisure activities, relationships). Scores range from 14-70. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater life satisfaction and enjoyment).
Time frame: 3-6-month Follow-up
Treatment Acceptability/Adherence Scale
10 items measuring treatment acceptability, adherence to treatment, and completion of treatment. Scores range from 10-70. Higher scores indicate better outcomes (greater treatment acceptability).
Time frame: Session 2 (2 weeks after start of treatment)
Percentage of planned treatment components delivered during treatment
Participant rating of whether planned treatment components were covered in each session Scores will be calculated as a percentage of agreement that planned topics were covered. Higher percentages indicate higher treatment integrity.
Time frame: Through treatment - 4 weeks
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