Pilot Study: Stress Reduction in Caregivers of Children With ASD Using ACT

Fielding Graduate University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Caregiver Stress

Treatments: Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy; Behavioral: Caregiver Support Group

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05944289

22-0404

Details and patient eligibility

About

Parents/Caregivers of children with autism need psychological flexibility and self-efficacy for the ACT program to be effective.

This study will compare intervention differences between groups. Repeated measures will be given three times (pre-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up) to an ACT intervention group and a support group (control). The purpose of the present study is to compare the effects of a brief ACT-based workshop for parents of children with autism with a concurrent parent support control group using a variety of self-report measures addressing psychological flexibility, depression, thought suppression, cognitive fusion, positive aspects of caregiving, stress, self-compassion, and valued living.

Enrollment: 44 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Individuals will be eligible for entry if (1) they are the biological or adoptive parent (and primary caregiver) of a child with a diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorder, (2) the child is 2-17 years of age inclusive, (3) speak English, and (4) they plan to live in the area for at least six months and (5) present proof of vaccination and (6) agree to masking and social distancing during the in-person workshop.

Exclusion criteria

• Individuals will be excluded from the study if (1) they are involved in a concurrent clinical trial of psychosocial interventions for parents/caregivers or (2) they (or their child/spouse) indicate during telephone screening or on the demographics questionnaire active major medical issues such as cancer, organ transplant, or severe mental health disorders that prevent active participation.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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44 participants in 2 patient groups

ACT

Experimental group

Description:

ACT Intervention Group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Support

Other group

Description:

Control Group - Caregiver support group

Treatment:

Behavioral: Caregiver Support Group