Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Individuals With MNCD and Their Care Partners: An In-Person and Telehealth Individual Therapy Approach
Texas Tech University
Summary
This project aims to implement and evaluate a dyadic intervention (i.e., acceptance commitment therapy) for persons with AD/ADRD and their care partners. We hypothesize the intervention will be feasible, acceptable, and show preliminary efficacy of the dyadic interveniotns.
Description
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Alzheimer's Disease Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) are life-limiting, long-term, neurodegenerative conditions estimated to affect more than 6.5 million adults over the age of 65 in the U.S. (Alzheimer's Association, 2023a). A majority of persons with AD/ADRD are over the age of 75 (73%; Alzheimer's Association, 2023a). With an aging population (estimated 1 in 6 people in the world will be over the age of 60 by 2030; World Health Organization, 2022), no known cure, and modern medical advances increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of AD/ADRD continues to rise, an e…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria Inclusion (person with MCI or MNCD): * 18+ * MMSE= 21-27 * Able to communicate in English Inclusion (care partner): * 18+ * Identifies as a care partner of a person with MNCD * Able to communicate in English * MMSE= 28-30 * Is a family member or friend of the person with MNCD Exclusion Criteria Exclusion (person with MCI or MNCD): * Currently in an intervention for reducing anxiety or depression related to their dementia * MMSE= 28+ or less than 21 Exclusion (care partner): * MMSE= \<28 * Is a formal (paid) caregiver
Interventions
- BehavioralAcceptance Commitment Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that aims to enhance psychological flexibility through six core processes: acceptance, cognitive defusion, being present, self-as-context, values clarification, and committed action. Rather than attempting to eliminate difficult thoughts and feelings, ACT encourages individuals to accept them while committing to behavior changes consistent with their personal values.
Location
- Texas Tech University Plaza BuildingLubbock, Texas