TY - JOUR
T1 - Participant experiences of guided self-help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for improving quality of life in muscle disease
T2 - a nested qualitative study within the ACTMus randomized controlled trial
AU - Edwards, Victoria
AU - Vari, Chiara
AU - Rose, Michael
AU - Graham, Christopher D.
AU - O'Connell, Nicola
AU - Taylor, Emma
AU - McCracken, Lance M.
AU - Radunovic, Aleksandar
AU - Rakowicz, Wojtek
AU - Norton, Sam
AU - Chalder, Trudie
N1 - Funding Information:
The study was supported by the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Research for Patient Benefit grant (reference no. PB-PG-061331085) and co-funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2023 Edwards, Vari, Rose, Graham, O'Connell, Taylor, McCracken, Radunovic, Rakowicz, Norton and Chalder.
PY - 2023/12/1
Y1 - 2023/12/1
N2 - Introduction: In adults, muscle disease (MD) is typically a chronic long-term condition that can lead to a reduced quality of life (QoL). Previous research suggests that a psychological intervention, in particular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), may help improve QoL for individuals living with chronic conditions such as MD. Methods: This nested qualitative study was incorporated within a randomized controlled trial which evaluated a guided self-help ACT intervention for people living with MD to explore their experiences of the intervention. Semi-structured interviews (n = 20) were conducted with those who had received ACT. Data were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: There were four overarching themes. (1) Views on whether therapy sessions would help with a medical condition: participants' expectations regarding ACT varied. Some participants were skeptical about mindfulness. (2) I was able to look at things in a different way: participants described increased meaningful activity, greater awareness of thoughts and emotions and acceptance or adaptation to mobility problems. Some described improvement in the quality of relationships and a sense of feeling free. (3) Treating the body and the mind together: following the intervention participants noted that a holistic approach to healthcare is beneficial. (4) Intervention delivery: The remote delivery was generally seen as helpful for practical reasons and allowed participants to speak openly. Participants voiced a need for follow-up sessions. Discussion: Overall, the intervention was experienced as acceptable. Suggested improvements included de-emphasizing the role of mindfulness and adding follow-up sessions.
AB - Introduction: In adults, muscle disease (MD) is typically a chronic long-term condition that can lead to a reduced quality of life (QoL). Previous research suggests that a psychological intervention, in particular Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), may help improve QoL for individuals living with chronic conditions such as MD. Methods: This nested qualitative study was incorporated within a randomized controlled trial which evaluated a guided self-help ACT intervention for people living with MD to explore their experiences of the intervention. Semi-structured interviews (n = 20) were conducted with those who had received ACT. Data were analyzed via thematic analysis. Results: There were four overarching themes. (1) Views on whether therapy sessions would help with a medical condition: participants' expectations regarding ACT varied. Some participants were skeptical about mindfulness. (2) I was able to look at things in a different way: participants described increased meaningful activity, greater awareness of thoughts and emotions and acceptance or adaptation to mobility problems. Some described improvement in the quality of relationships and a sense of feeling free. (3) Treating the body and the mind together: following the intervention participants noted that a holistic approach to healthcare is beneficial. (4) Intervention delivery: The remote delivery was generally seen as helpful for practical reasons and allowed participants to speak openly. Participants voiced a need for follow-up sessions. Discussion: Overall, the intervention was experienced as acceptable. Suggested improvements included de-emphasizing the role of mindfulness and adding follow-up sessions.
KW - Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
KW - facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
KW - inclusion body myositis
KW - limb-girdle dystrophy
KW - mood
KW - muscle disorders
KW - quality of life
KW - talking therapies
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85179666346&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233526
DO - 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1233526
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85179666346
SN - 1664-1078
VL - 14
JO - Frontiers in Psychology
JF - Frontiers in Psychology
M1 - 1233526
ER -