Feasibility and acceptability of an acceptance and commitment therapy for caregivers of dementia: a single arm trial emphasizing adult protection

Purpose Caregivers for older adults play a crucial role in protecting those diagnosed with dementia. These caregivers often experience heightened anxiety, depression and burdens associated with their responsibilities. Sufficient support and efficient coping mechanisms alleviate distress and caregiving burdens, thereby enhancing and protecting adults. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) fosters acceptance of internal experiences and promotes behaviors aligned with personal values. This single-arm pilot study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary effects of an online ACT intervention (Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for Caregivers [OACTIC]) on well-being aspects among dementia caregivers, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions to protect older adults and their caregivers. Design/methodology/approach The caregiver must be ≥21 years of age (i.e. a parent, spouse, partner, sibling or adult child), or they must be the primary caregiver of older adults with dementia for ≥12 months and have scores that indicate moderate or higher on the scale of anxiety, depression and poor quality of life. Participants received an online-based ACT over six weekly 1-h sessions. The following outcome measures were administered at baseline (T1), immediately post-intervention (T2) and three-month follow-up (T3): Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Zarit Burden Interview, The Experience of Suffering Measure and Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II. Findings All 45 participants completed the study, with 93.3% rating their OACTIC experience as “completely satisfied.” Originality/value OACTIC (Trial Registration# AEARCTR-0012366) is a novel study conducted in Pakistan, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient treatment approach that enhances the psychological well-being and protects older adults and their caregivers.