Clinical Research Directory

Comparative Effects of Four Brief Breathwork and Mindfulness Interventions on Anxiety and Psychological Flexibility: A 4-Arm RCT

This four-arm, single-blind randomized controlled trial examines the effects of four brief daily 5-minute practices over 28 days on psychological flexibility and physiological variables in Spanish-speaking adults. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of four groups: Box Breathing, Cyclic Sighing, Mindfulness focused on exhalation with the syllable "AH", or Conscious Cyclic Sighing. Outcomes include state and trait anxiety (STAI), positive and negative affect (PANAS), psychological flexibility (MPFI-24, Psy-Flex), and physiological variables (heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability). Assessments are conducted at baseline, daily during the 28-day intervention, at post-intervention (day 31), and at 2-month follow-up.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Flexibility, Values, and Well-Being: A Single-Case Experimental Study

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effects of a brief Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group intervention on psychological flexibility, values-based functioning, and psychological well-being in university students aged 18 to 28 years presenting elevated levels of emotional distress and psychological risk indicators. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does a brief ACT-based intervention reduce experiential avoidance and cognitive fusion in university students? Does the intervention improve present-moment awareness, values-based functioning, life satisfaction, and psychological flourishing? Participants will: Complete repeated self-report assessments across 13 measurement points distributed throughout baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. Participate in five weekly ACT-based group intervention sessions delivered by trained clinical psychologists. Engage in experiential ACT exercises focused on acceptance, mindfulness, cognitive defusion, values clarification, and committed action. Complete between-session activities and behavioral practices related to the ACT processes addressed during the intervention. Participate in follow-up assessments to evaluate maintenance of treatment effects over time.

ACT-Based Group Therapy and Mobile Application Intervention for Emotional Eating

This study aims to evaluate the effects of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based group therapy program, combined with an ACT-based mobile app, on emotional eating, emotion regulation, and psychological flexibility in overweight individuals. Emotional eating is a condition in which individuals frequently use eating behavior as a coping mechanism for negative emotions. Participants will be randomly assigned to intervention groups receiving ACT-based group therapy, ACT-based group therapy combined with an ACT-based mobile app, or a control group. The intervention will last six weeks and will include structured group sessions as well as mobile-based exercises, reminders, and coping strategies. Outcome measures will include emotional eating, emotion regulation, and psychological flexibility. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and during the follow-up phase. The findings of this study are expected to contribute to the development of accessible and effective interventions for emotional eating.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Post-Stroke Adjustment Via Telerehabilitation

A stroke can affect someone physically and emotionally. There are more than 1.3 million stroke survivors in the UK, so it is important the right support is available. Acceptance and commitment therapy is a psychological therapy that helps people adjust to new circumstances. Studies have found that it is helpful for people with long-term health conditions such as brain injury, chronic pain, and multiple sclerosis. Therefore, we want to assess if this therapy can help people adjust to life after a stroke. To assess this, we are looking for adults over 18 who have: * Had a stroke over three months ago. * No other neurological illness. * No severe cognitive or communication difficulties. * Been discharged from all rehabilitation programmes. * No severe psychological disorder. * Not been diagnosed with a major health condition in the last 12 months. * Access to a device with a camera, an internet connection and private space for video calls. Participants will: 1. Complete a weekly questionnaire for up to seven weeks on acceptance and action. 2. Complete a second questionnaire at week 7 on mood, what is important to participants and how the stroke has affected their life. 3. Attend an eight-week online group of acceptance and commitment therapy. Sessions are weekly for 90 minutes, including breaks. Participants will repeat the questionnaire. 4. Give feedback after therapy ends and repeat the questionnaires. 5. Repeat the questionnaires after three and six months. Participants will be reminded to complete the online questionnaires and can take breaks as needed. At the end of the study, participants will have a debrief call to discuss details of the study. Participants will get a £10 Amazon gift card to thank them for taking part.

ACT With CF Self-Help Toolkit

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) tailored to meet the needs of adults living with cystic fibrosis (ACT with CF) is a newer form of talk therapy that has been shown to reduce anxiety \& depression and improve psychological flexibility, and value-based living. The investigators are now trying to find out whether a self-help version of this treatment (ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit) is also effective in reducing anxiety and depression and improving psychological flexibility and value-based living in adults with CF. Adults with cystic fibrosis are at increased risk for anxiety and depression. This study examines whether a patient-facing therapy, ACT with CF - Self Help Toolkit can help to reduce anxiety and depression among adults with CF. This treatment can be accessed on the participant's smartphone.

A Pilot Study on an ACT-Based Program for Individuals With Special Needs and Their Caregivers

Parenting children with special health care needs can be stressful and weigh on the caregivers' mental health. For the individuals with special needs, the mismatch between their needs and the normative practice in the world around them can be frustrating and detrimental to their functioning. The demands and concerns to these families can be so real that it may not be sensible to examine the validity or helpfulness of the distressing thoughts or feelings but to promote psychological flexibility, which is a key to value-guided living. This pilot study explores the effects and feasibility of a group-based intervention for families of individuals with special health care needs.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based Intervention for Parents of a Child With Medical Complexity

A pilot randomized controlled trial of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-based intervention will be conducted to decrease psychological symptoms, while increase psychological flexibility for parents of a child with medical complexity during their difficulties.

Evaluation of ACT Now GAIN Later

The goal of this Randomised Control Trial is to evaluate a Psychologist Guided Self Help Video Parenting Programme based on principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) The main questions it aims to answer are: Primary Objectives 1. Is ACT Now GAIN Later: a Psychologist Guided Self Help Video Parenting Programme based on principles of ACT effective in increasing parental psychological flexibility (measured by Psy-Flex, tool which measures psychological flexibility)? Please find attached. 2. Is ACT Now GAIN Later: a Psychologist Guided Self Help Video Parenting Programme based on principles of ACT effective in decreasing child challenging behaviour (measured by the Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory)? Please find attached. Secondary Objectives 1. Is ACT Now GAIN Later: an ACT based Parenting Programme, effective in improving parent-child relationships (measured by the Child-Parent Relationship Scale)? Please find attached. 2. Does ACT Now GAIN Later increase parental well-being as measured by (Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Parenting Stress Index and Goal Based Outcome Tool)? Please find attached. 3. Does ACT Now GAIN Later increase parental self-efficacy (TOPSE and Parental Sense of Competence scale)? Please find attached. Participants will complete a 7 week psychologist guided parenting intervention. Researchers will compare waitlist groups to see if there are differences in psychological flexibility, child behaviour, parent-child relationships, parental well-being or parental self-efficacy.