Online Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to support people with young-onset Parkinson's disease
Official title: Empower Your Mind to Embrace Your Life: Development and Efficacy Study of a Videoconference-delivered Group Intervention Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for People With Young-onset Parkinson's Disease
Run by University of Coimbra · NCT07310147 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will test whether an eight-week online group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) program can help adults aged 21-65 with young-onset Parkinson's disease improve psychological flexibility and quality of life.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 21 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Coimbra Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Coimbra) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | April 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | January 8, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07310147 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Portuguese-speaking adults aged 21-65 with neurologist-confirmed young-onset Parkinson's (Hoehn & Yahr stages 1–2.5), without significant cognitive impairment or current psychological treatment.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with severe psychiatric illness, active suicidal ideation, significant cognitive impairment, pregnancy, or who are already receiving psychological therapy are unlikely to benefit or are excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This feasibility trial develops and delivers 'Empower your mind to embrace your life', an online group-based ACT program of eight weekly sessions for people with young-onset Parkinson's disease. Eligible participants will be randomized to the ACT intervention or a control group and will complete measures of acceptability, psychological flexibility, non-motor symptoms, and quality of life before and after the intervention. The program is delivered in Portuguese and coordinated by the University of Coimbra, with sessions run online to facilitate access. The main goals are to test feasibility, acceptability, and gather preliminary efficacy data to inform a larger trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, participants could gain better coping skills, reduced depression or anxiety symptoms, and improved overall quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: Previous small trials and pilot work suggest ACT and other third-wave therapies can help non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's, but online group ACT specifically for young-onset PD is novel and only preliminarily tested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Young-onset PD diagnosis confirmed by a neurologist * Classification between stages 1 and 2.5 according to the Hoehn \&Yahr scale * Aged between 21-65 years * Fluent Portuguese speakers Exclusion Criteria: * Currently undergoing any form of psychology intervention * Pregnancy * Current suicidal ideation * Diagnosis of severe psychiatric illness (e.g., severe depression, psychotic illness, bipolar disorder) * Cognitive impairment
Where it's running
-
Cineicc
Coimbra, Portugal Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Inês Matos-Pina, MSc — CINEICC - Center for Research in Neuropsychology and Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra
- Study coordinator: Inês Matos-Pina, MSc
- Email: inescpina@hotmail.com
- Phone: +351968766690
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.