Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia in Japan

March 17, 2025 updated by: Hiroshi Morimoto, Meiji Gakuin University

Group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Group-based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Family Caregivers of People with Dementia in Japan

Along with more people worldwide having dementia, the number of people with dementia and their family caregivers have increased in Japan. However, psychological support for family caregivers of people with dementia is still limited in Japan. The purpose of this pilot study is to examine feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for family caregivers of people with dementia in Japan compared to a group-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT). This study also preliminarily examines the efficacy of combining psychological intervention for family caregivers (group-based ACT/CBT) with psychological intervention for their care recipients (group-based reminiscence therapy).

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Completed

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

This study employs quasi-experimental design to investigate the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the group-based ACT for family caregivers of people with dementia compared to the group-based CBT. Both interventions consist of eight sessions, each lasting about 90 minutes, through face-to-face or Zoom video conferencing over the course of four months. Family caregivers will be assigned to either the ACT or CBT interventions. Pre-, post-intervention, and 6 month follow-up measurements assess depression, anxiety, quality of life, cognitive appraisal of caregiving (i.e., subjective burden and positive aspect of caregiving), possible process factors (i.e., caregiving self-efficacy, experiential avoidance, and commitment), care recipients' behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), and so on. This study also preliminarily examines the efficacy of combining psychological intervention for family caregivers (i.e., the group-based ACT/CBT) with those for their care recipients (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy). The group-based reminiscence therapy will be held once or twice a month, each lasting about 60-90 minutes, over the course of about three months.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
15

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Japan
    • Tokyo
      • Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan, 108-8636
        • Meiji Gakuin University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

20 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Family caregivers:

  • providing care for a family member with dementia or mild cognitive impairment
  • being able to speak and read Japanese
  • being 20 years of age or older.

Care recipients (group-based reminiscence therapy):

  • having a clear intention to participate in the intervention
  • being able to speak Japanese
  • being diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or mild stage of dementia and MoCA scores ≥ 11
  • obtaining consent from their family caregiver and their doctor to participate in the intervention.

Exclusion Criteria:

Family caregivers:

  • having psychiatric disorder at the time of participation in the intervention.

Care recipients (group-based reminiscence therapy):

  • having insufficient capacity to give consent to participate in the intervention
  • being diagnosed with moderate to severe stage of dementia or MoCA scores < 11.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Non-Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: Single

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Participants assigned to the group-based ACT intervention will receive eight sessions through face-to-face or Zoom video conferencing over the course of four months. Participants will also receive individualized support between sessions to help them better understand the program using phone or Zoom video conferencing. If participants' care recipient hopes to receive psychological treatment, they will be invited to participate in a group-based reminiscence therapy held once or twice a month, each lasting about 60-90 minutes, over the course of about three months.
Behavioral: Group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)
Group-based ACT intervention by professional psychotherapist consists of four modules: (a) psychoeducation about dementia and experiential avoidance in caregiving, (b)mindfulness and acceptance of aversive emotions, sensations, and thoughts, (c) behavior management for care recipients' BPSD, and (d) clarifying and choosing one's value, and taking actions toward the chosen values. Each session lasts about 90 minutes and will be held every two weeks. Group-based reminiscence therapy for care recipients will be conducted by a professional psychotherapist other than the one conducting group-based ACT intervention.
Active Comparator: Group-based cognitive behavior therapy (CBT)
Participants assigned to the group-based CBT intervention will receive eight sessions through face-to-face or Zoom video conferencing over the course of four months. Participants will also receive individualized support between sessions to help them better understand the program using phone or Zoom video conferencing. If participants' care recipient hopes to receive psychological treatment, they will be invited to participate in a group-based reminiscence therapy held once or twice a month, each lasting about 60-90 minutes, over the course of about three months.
Behavioral: Group-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Group-based CBT intervention by professional psychotherapist consists of four modules: (a) psychoeducation about dementia and distress in caregiving, (b) cognitive restructuring and relaxation, (c) behavior management for care recipients' BPSD, and (d) increasing pleasant activities. Each session lasts about 90 minutes and will be held every two weeks. Group-based reminiscence therapy for care recipients will be conducted by a professional psychotherapist other than the one conducting group-based CBT intervention.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline depression and anxiety at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. This scale comprises two seven-item subscales: depression and anxiety. Scale scores range from 0 to 21 for each subscale, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline quality of life (QOL) at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the WHOQOL26. This scale comprises 26 items on four subscales: physical domain, psychological domain, social relationships, environment, and general health/QOL. Scale scores range from 7 to 35 for physical domain, 6 to 30 for psychological domain, 3 to 15 for social relationships, 8 to 40 for environment, and 2 to 10 for general health/QOL. Higher scores indicate better outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline subjective burden at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Zarit Burden Interview. This scale comprises 22 items, ranging from 0 to 88. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline positive aspects of caregiving at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Cognitive Caregiving Appraisal Scale. This scale comprises 26 items on three negative appraisal subscales (feelings of restriction of social life, anxiety about continuing caregiving, and distress of the relationships with others) and three positive appraisal subscales (fulfillment of caregiving roles, affection toward the caretakers, and self-growth by caregiving). Positive appraisal subscales are used. Scale scores range from 6 to 24 for fulfillment of caregiving roles, 4 to 16 for affection toward the caretakers, and 3 to 12 for self-growth by caregiving. Higher scores indicate better outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline caregiving self-efficacy at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Revised Scale for Caregiving Self-efficacy. This scale comprises 15 items on three subscales: obtaining respite, responding to disruptive behaviors, and controlling upsetting thoughts. Scale scores range from 0 to 100 for each subscale, where higher scores indicate better outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline experiential avoidance in caregiving at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Experiential Avoidance in Caregiving Questionnaire. This scale comprises 15 items on three subscales: active avoidant behaviors, intolerance of negative thoughts and emotions, and apprehension concerning negative internal experiences related to caregiving. Scale scores range from 6 to 30 for active avoidant behaviors, 4 to 16 for intolerance of negative thoughts and emotions, and 5 to 25 for apprehension concerning negative internal experiences related to caregiving. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline commitment to values at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Values Questionnaire. This scale comprises 10 items on two subscales: obstruction and progress. Scale scores range from 0 to 30 for each subscale. Higher scores for the obstruction indicate lower commitment (i.e., worse outcome), and higher scores for the progress indicate higher commitment (i.e., better outcome).
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Change from baseline care recipients' behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. This scale comprises 12 items measuring various BPSD. Participants (i.e., family caregivers) rated state of their care recipient. Scale scores range from 0 to 60, where higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change from baseline caregiving demands at 4 and 10 months
Time Frame: Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Measured by the Caregiver Burden Scale. This scale comprises 26 items on seven subscales measuring support for care recipient's activities of daily living, burden of behavioral and psychological symptoms, concern about future caregiving burden, lack of informal support, lack of formal support, caregiving interference with other roles, and financial burden of caregiving. Higher scores indicate worse outcome.
Baseline (pre-intervention), 4 months (immediately after the intervention), and 10 months (6 month follow-up)
Usability of the intervention
Time Frame: Immediately after the intervention
Measured by 10 items. Scale scores range from 10 to 50, where higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived usability of the intervention (i.e., better outcome).
Immediately after the intervention
Change from baseline care recipient's cognitive function at 3 and 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. This instrument is a cognitive screening test for the detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. Scale scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate better outcome. This test will be used for participants in the care recipient's program (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy) in both face-to-face and online settings.
Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Change from baseline care recipient's depression at 3 and 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Measured by the Japanese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Version. This scale comprises 15 items, ranging from 0 to 15. Higher scores indicate worse outcome. This scale will be used for participants in the care recipient's program (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy) in both face-to-face and online settings.
Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Change from baseline care recipient's psychological distress at 3 and 6 months
Time Frame: Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Measured by the Stress Response Scale. This scale comprises 18 items on three subscales: depression/anxiety, irritability/anger, and helplessness. Scale scores range from 0 to 18 for each subscale. Higher scores indicate worse outcome. This scale will be used for participants in the care recipient's program (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy) in both face-to-face and online settings.
Baseline, 3 months (immediately after the intervention), 6 months (3 month follow-up)
Baseline care recipient's cognitive function
Time Frame: Baseline
Measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination. This instrument is a cognitive screening test for the detection of dementia. Scale scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate better outcome. This test will be used for participants in the care recipient's program (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy) in the case of a face-to-face setting.
Baseline
Baseline care recipient's cognitive function
Time Frame: Baseline
Measured by the Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised. This instrument is a cognitive screening test for the detection of dementia. Scale scores range from 0 to 30, where higher scores indicate better outcome. This test will be used for participants in the care recipient's program (i.e., group-based reminiscence therapy) in the case of an online setting.
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Meiji Gakuin University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
June 1, 2021

Primary Completion (Actual)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
March 15, 2025

Study Completion (Actual)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
March 15, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
May 13, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
May 18, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
May 24, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
March 25, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
March 17, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
March 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • MG21PS0401
  • 21K03094 (Other Grant/Funding Number: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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