Gillanders, D. & Laidlaw, K. (2014). ACT and CBT in Older Age: Towards a Wise Synthesis. in N. Pachana and K. Laidlaw (Eds.) The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Geropsychology, Oxford: OUP.
In this chapter we review the application of a new form of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and consider its use with older people. We provide an overview of ACT as distinct from CBT, and review the potential utility of this therapy for the types of presentations of distress in later life. As ACT is relatively new there is a somewhat limited evidence base for its use with older people.
Recent meta analysis on CBT and Generalised Anxiety Disorder in Older People
Just came across this systematic review and metanalysis that is relevant to the interests of this group:
Kishita, N., & Laidlaw, K. (2017). Cognitive behaviour therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: Is CBT equally efficacious in adults of working age and older adults? Clinical Psychology Review, 52, 124–136. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.01.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2017.01.003
Cognitive behaviour therapy for generalized anxiety disorder: Is CBT equally efficacious in adults of working age and older adults?
The current meta-analysis compared the efficacy of CBT for GAD between adults of working age and older people. In addition, we conducted a qualitative content analysis of treatment protocols used in studies with older clients to explore potential factors that may enhance treatment outcomes with this particular client group. Applying the inclusion criteria resulted in the identification of 15 studies with 22 comparisons between CBT and control groups (770 patients).
Group CBT versus MBSR for social anxiety disorder: A randomized controlled trial
Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate treatment outcome and mediators of cognitive–behavioral group therapy (CBGT) versus mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) versus waitlist (WL) in patients with generalized social anxiety disorder (SAD).
Cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) versus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for dementia family caregivers with significant depressive symptoms: Results of a randomized clinical trial
Objective: The differential efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive–behavioral therapy (CBT) for dementia family caregivers’ is analyzed through a randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants were 135 caregivers with high depressive symptomatology who were randomly allocated to the intervention conditions or a control group (CG).
Pilot randomized trial of telephone-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for smoking cessation
OBJECTIVE:
Pilot randomized trial of telephone-delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) versus Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for smoking cessation.
METHOD:
Randomized clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) versus acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for mixed anxiety disorders
Objective: Randomized comparisons of acceptance-based treatments with traditional cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for anxiety disorders are lacking. To address this gap, we compared acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) to CBT for heterogeneous anxiety disorders.
Mindfulness and Acceptance for Addictive Behaviors: Applying Contextual CBT to Substance Abuse and Behavioral Addictions
As a clinician or research in the field of mental health or addictions, this book will offer you powerful insight into how acceptance and mindfulness-based interventions are being successfully used to treat a variety of addictive behaiviors, ranging from substance abuse to gambling addiction.
Moving through the Maze of One's Thoughts & Feelings: A Metaphor of How CBT & ACT Attempt to Increase Psychological Flexibility
The following is a metaphor I have presented to psychology trainees beginning last year to help them understand what ACT attempts to do and how it compares to a CBT approach. It has been very well received by the trainees, the vast majority of them coming into the program having had more exposure to CBT than to ACT.
ACT for Smoking Cessation: A Preliminary Study of Its Effectiveness in Comparison With CBT
This controlled preliminary trial determined the feasibility and initial effectiveness of a promising behavioral intervention for smoking: Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). In a quasiexperimental design, the ACT intervention condition used metaphors and experiential exercises focused on personal values to motivate quitting smoking and enhancing the willingness to experience internal cues to smoke (e.g., urges) and abstinence-related internal distress.