Engaging care partners of persons living with dementia in acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) programs: a scoping review

Abstract

Objectives

Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is a relatively new type of psychotherapy effective for treating depression and anxiety amongst family care partners of persons living with dementia [PLWD]. However, care partner engagement in mental health services is low and specific guidelines for designing ACT programs for care partners of PLWD do not exist. The purpose of this scoping review was to examine patterns in care partner engagement in ACT programs to identify program factors potentially influencing engagement.

Methods

A comprehensive scoping review according to Arksey and O’Malley’s framework was followed. Databases and grey literature were searched for primary studies of ACT programs with care partners of PLWD. Data were charted and synthesized.

Results

Ten studies met inclusion criteria and were analyzed. Amongst these, engagement was highest in three ACT programs that were delivered individually, remotely and were therapist-led or supported. Conversely, engagement was the lowest in two ACT programs that were self-directed, web-based and had minimal or no care partner-therapist interaction. Program factors perceived as influencing engagement included tailoring and personalization, mode of delivery and format, therapeutic support and connectedness, program duration and pace.

Conclusion

Findings from this review suggest that care partners engagement may be promoted by designing ACT programs that focus on the therapeutic client-therapist relationship, are delivered remotely and individually. Future research should focus on evaluation of best implementation practices for engagement and effectiveness.

Keywords:

• ‘Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)’
• dementia
• caregivers
• psychotherapy
• facilitators and barriers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the University of New Brunswick University Research Fund-Explore Grant, support in-kind from the Alzheimer Society of New Brunswick, and a joint Mental Health Impact Grant from Mental Health Research Canada and the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation.