ACT for Dementia Caregivers—Testing Psychological Flexibility to Ease Distress

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a waitlist randomized controlled trial testing an online six-session ACT program for dementia caregivers. The trial aims to see if improving psychological flexibility reduces caregiver distress compared with a waitlist control, with mediation analyses to explore mechanisms. Participants are 120 family caregivers in the United States who report at least moderate distress and have internet access. Assessments occur at multiple time points to evaluate changes in distress and related outcomes, and all participants eventually receive the intervention. The study uses robust statistical simulations to estimate the expected mediation effects and sample size adequacy.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Family caregiver to a person with dementia or with significant memory loss that impacts their everyday life
* Distressed from their caregiving role as measured by a score of 4+ on a single item "How distressed are you by caring for your family member?" (1 not at all to 10 extremely).
* Interested in taking part in an online self-guided six-session program with multiple assessments
* Able to read/write in English
* Have access to a computer/smartphone/tablet with internet.
* Live in the United States

Exclusion:

* No additional exclusion criteria beyond if participants do not meet one or more of the inclusion criteria.
* Have a phone number from a land-line or cellular carrier. This latter requirement is to reduce fraudulent participants, who in prior studies all provided IP-based numbers (IP-based numbers are identifiable via free online software). Of note, cohabiting with the care receiver is NOT a requirement, as distress can occur in non-cohabiting care dyads.

Where it's running

• Utah State University
  Logan, Utah, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Elizabeth B. Fauth, PhD
• Email: beth.fauth@usu.edu
• Phone: 435-797-1989

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.