ACT for Mental Health in Neurological Disorders

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

ACT-based group therapy: ACT-based group therapy based on the manual "Living Well with Neurological Conditions" published by Hill et al. (2017; NHS Fundation Trust; available: https://goo.gl/aX6qB5). The manual was translated into German and adapted by shortening sessions, simplifying language and adapting exercises based on clinical experience. The publication of the feasibility study for the adapted manual is currently in preparation. The group therapy includes eight weekly sessions with a duration of 100 minutes each. Three to six individuals participate in a group. The therapy is delivered by at least one licensed psychotherapists. A co-therapist might be included based on individual needs of the group members.

Study summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the efficacy of this manual for mental health in people with mixed neurological disorders, including post-COVID. These conditions are often associated with cognitive impairment, which may hamper the effects of psychoterapy. Executive functioning and especially the ability to abstract thinking may be useful for individuals using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Therefore, the main questions research questions are:

* Is this intervention effective in improving mental health?
* Do executive functions predict the extent of social participation and mental health at the end of therapy? Participants will take part in 8 weekly group therapy sessions of 100 minutes each.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Depression and Anxiety Stress Scales-21 (Lovibond, 1995) — Before waiting list condition; and pre- and post-intervention (pre and post are presumably 8 weeks apart)
  Measure of psychological burden to investigate efficacy. Scores range from 0 to 63 with higher values indicating higher burden.
• Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Acquired Brain Injury (Sylvester, 2011) — Before waiting list condition; and pre- and post-intervention (pre and post are presumably 8 weeks apart)
  Measure of psychological flexibility to investigate efficacy. Scores range from 0 to 36 with higher values indicating higher inflexibility.
• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fourth Edition (Similarities subtest; Wechsler, 2008) — pre- and post-intervention (pre and post are presumably 8 weeks apart)
  Measure of individual's ability to recognize and articulate the commonalities between different objects, reflecting their abstraction ability. This will be used to examine the influence of the ability of abstract thinking. Scores range from 0 to 36 with higher values indicating higher ability of abstraction.

Trial sites (1)

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