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Targeted ACT Compared to Supportive Therapy for Depression RCT
Sponsor: Western Michigan University
Summary
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has demonstrated efficacy in reducing depressive symptoms, primarily compared to no treatment or minimal treatment controls. This study compared the efficacy of ACT targeting cognitive defusion (CD, 3 sessions) and values-based activity scheduling (VBAS, 3 sessions) to supportive therapy (ST). Both treatments offered six sessions, a rationale for the approach, related techniques, and homework assignments. A parallel group randomized controlled efficacy trial design was used. Participants were stratified by gender identification and depression severity and then randomly allocated, according to a predetermined sequence, 2:1 to ACT or ST. Dependent measures were collected during acute treatment (pre, mid, and post-treatment) and follow-up at one-month.
Official title: Targeted Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Compared to Supportive Therapy for Depressive Symptoms: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
52
Start Date
2010-02-01
Completion Date
2011-12-31
Last Updated
2026-10-15
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
A 6-session ACT intervention was implemented targeting Cognitive Defusion (CD) and Values-Based Activity Scheduling (VBAS). During the first 3 sessions, the therapist taught participants how to defuse from negative self-thoughts using didactic and experiential techniques and emphasized the relationship between negative thoughts and the self and learning to observe negative thoughts for what they are - thoughts, words, ideas, and evaluations. During sessions 4-6, the therapist used similar techniques to focus on behaving in meaningful ways without letting negative thoughts dictate behavior. During these VBAS sessions, the participant identified their values and worked with the therapist to decide on goals that were values-consistent, and focused on those foals without letting negative thoughts and emotions get in the way of living toward them.
Treatment as usual
The 6-session supportive therapy (ST) condition emphasized the exploration of feelings; helping the client to become aware of and talk about emotional experiences with no attempt to change thoughts, behaviors, or the client's experiences directly (Greenberg et al., 1998). Psychoeducation emphasized the untoward effects of not acknowledging or exploring feelings and benefits of identification and talking about feelings. The therapist used open-ended questions, reflective listening, empathy, and clarification questions. Therapists did not give advice, offer solutions, make interpretations, or disagree with/confront the client. For homework, the participants were asked to complete "awareness homework," involving monitoring of presence, intensity, and duration of emotions with no prescription to change them or do anything differently.