A pilot randomised controlled trial of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group intervention for family caregivers of people with dementia in Brazil

Objectives: Investigate the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group intervention on anxiety symptoms in Brazilian family caregivers of people with dementia (PWD).

Methods: Single-center, unblinded, double-arm, pilot randomized controlled trial. Fifty-seven family caregivers of PWD with mild to severe anxiety symptoms were randomized to intervention group (n = 29) or waiting list group (n = 28). The intervention group received eight videoconference sessions of group ACT. Participants completed measures of anxiety and depressive symptoms, caregiver burden, psychological flexibility and quality of life (QOL) at Weeks 0, 9 and 20.

Results: Participants in the intervention group had lower scores of anxiety compared to control at weeks 9 and 20, when assessed using the GAD-7. No between-group effects were observed for depressive symptoms, caregiver burden (ZBI-12), QOL, or psychological flexibility. In the completer analysis only, a significant reduction in anxiety symptoms measured by HADS-A was observed at Week 20.

Conclusions: This pilot study provides initial evidence that group ACT may reduce anxiety symptoms in family caregivers of PWD. Larger, fully powered trials are needed to confirm these findings and to clarify effects on other caregiver outcomes.

Clinical implications: Videoconference Group ACT, shows potential as a scalable intervention to reduce family caregivers’ anxiety.