Acceptance and Commitment Therapy support for parents of children with complex medical needs
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Intervention to Decrease Psychological Symptoms and Increase Psychological Flexibility for Parents of a Child With Medical Complexity: a Pilot Randomization-controlled Trial.
NA · The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · NCT07033832
This pilot will try an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy program to reduce anxiety and depression and increase psychological flexibility in Cantonese-speaking parents of children with medical complexity.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (other) |
| Locations | 2 sites (Hong Kong and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT07033832 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This pilot randomized controlled trial will enroll Cantonese-speaking parents of children aged 1–18 with medical complexity and randomize them to an ACT-based intervention or a control condition. The face-to-face intervention is delivered at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University's School of Nursing and teaches ACT skills to build psychological flexibility and coping. Primary outcomes include changes in depression, anxiety, and psychological flexibility, with feasibility and acceptability also measured. Participants with current diagnosed mental health disorders or already engaged in other stress-reduction programs are excluded and outcomes are measured before and after the intervention.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Parents of a child with medical complexity aged 1–18 who can communicate in Cantonese/read Chinese, are willing to attend face-to-face sessions at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and do not have a current diagnosed mental health disorder or concurrent stress-reduction program participation.
Not a fit: Parents with a current diagnosed mental health disorder, those already enrolled in other psychosocial stress-reduction programs, non-Cantonese speakers, or those unable to attend face-to-face sessions are unlikely to receive benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help parents manage stress and difficult emotions more effectively, reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
How similar studies have performed: ACT has shown benefits for reducing distress and improving coping in other caregiver and mental health populations, but randomized evidence specifically for Chinese parents of children with medical complexity is limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * parent of a child with medical complexity aged 1-18 * able to communicate in Chinese and read Chinese * willing to participate in face-to-face activities Exclusion Criteria: * a reported mental health disorder * engaging in other psychosocial educational programs related to stress reduction * inability to communicate in Cantonese
Where this trial is running
Hong Kong and 1 other locations
- School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — Hong Kong, China (RECRUITING)
- School of Nursing The Hong Kong polytechnic university — Kowloon, Hong Kong (NOT_YET_RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Winsome LAM, PhD — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- Study coordinator: Winsome Lam, PhD
- Email: winsome.lam@polyu.edu.hk
- Phone: 852-2766
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Child With Medical Complexity, Psychological Flexibility, Randomised Controlled Trial, Depression, Anxiety, Parental Stress