The goal of the study is to test the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of an acceptance and commitment therapy for supporting caregiver programme (ACT-CSP) on reduction of caregiver burden, anxiety and depressive symptoms and enhancement of caregiving self-efficacy, resilience and quality of life by ACT when compared to usual care, for caregivers of palliative care patients.
This study will employ a pilot randomized controlled trial recruiting caregivers of palliative care patients to receive either a 3-week acceptance and commitment therapy for supporting caregiver programme (ACT-CSP) plus usual care (n = 15) or usual care only (n = 15). The components of acceptance and commitment therapy process will be emphasized in the intervention programme, which include perspective taking, self-as-context and defusion (i.e. recognizing worry thoughts as thoughts only), identifying values and acceptance of present-moment experience with respect to the values, and committed action. The ACT-CSP will be delivered by a trained ACT facilitator. Participants will be followed up at Week 6 and Week 8 after recruitment to collect data for assessing the study objectives.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
SINGLE
The ACT treatment will consist of three 45 to 60-min weekly sessions to be delivered to the caregiver in an individual format via online videoconferencing application e.g. ZOOM or WhatsApp within 3 weeks. The ACT-CSP can be delivered via face-to-face on request. Each session has a specific content with pre-planned materials and mindfulness exercises and metaphors. Psychological-based homework will be assigned at the end of each session. The components of ACT process will be emphasized in the intervention programme, which include perspective taking, self-as-context and defusion (i.e. recognizing worry thoughts as thoughts only), identifying values and acceptance of present-moment experience with respect to the values, and committed action.
The Chinese version of the 13-item Caregiver Strain Index
Items are rated on a yes (1) or no (0) response, with the total score ranges from 0-13 and higher scores indicating higher caregiver burden
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6 and Week 8
The Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)
The scale scores range from 0 to 12, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety and depression.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6 and Week 8
The Chinese version of the 18-item modified Caregiver Inventory
The scale covers 3 dimensions: Care of the Care Recipient (7 items), Managing information and Self-care (7 items), and Managing emotional interaction with care recipient (4 items). The first two dimensions have scores ranging from 7 to 63 while the last dimension has scores ranging from 4 to 36, with higher scores indicating higher levels of self-efficacy in that dimension.
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6 and Week 8
The 10-item Chinese version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale
The overall scores range 0-40, with higher scores indicating higher levels of resilience
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6 and Week 8
The 10-item version of the Singapore caregiver quality of life
The overall scores range 0-40, with higher scores indicating higher levels of quality of life
Time frame: Baseline, Week 6 and Week 8
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.