Video-conferencing FACT for Young Children With Special Needs

Summary

Objective: This RCT evaluates the efficacy of Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (FACT) delivered via videoconferencing for parents of special needs children, targeting reducing parental stress (primary outcome), symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as psychological flexibility.

Background: Parental caregiving for children with special needs is associated with significant stress, potentially impairing parental and familial functioning. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has shown promise in bolstering mental health across diverse populations. Preliminary findings from a feasibility trial (NCT05803252) suggest the potential of FACT in this context.

Methods: Expanding upon prior research, this definitive RCT compares FACT to standard parenting advice, correcting for earlier limitations through increased sample size and rigorous methodology. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, post-intervention (4-8 weeks), and 6-month follow-up.

Results: The study anticipates that FACT will demonstrate superior outcomes in promoting well-being among parents compared to parenting advice alone.

Conclusion: By leveraging videoconferencing for therapy delivery, the RCT aims to improve access to mental health interventions and emphasize the importance of psychological health among parents of special needs children. This could foster greater recognition and proactive management of mental health within this population.

Conditions

• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
• Specific Learning Disorder
• Communication Disorders
• Motor Disorders

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Focused Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Trained FACT interventionists will be guided by manualized FACT intervention to identify how many psychopathological processes need support and which ACT process(es) need to work on first, then offer parents process-matched ACT intervention strategies following the principles of FACT. The intervention strategies include ACT metaphors, experiential exercises, audio-guided mindfulness exercises, guided imagery exercises and value clarification exercises. The FACT steps in each session depend on the client's situation/stage.

OTHER

Control Group

Both study groups will receive standard family support from collaborating NGOs.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hong Kong Christian Service

  collaborator OTHER

• Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association

  collaborator OTHER

• Yang Memorial Methodist Social Service

  collaborator OTHER

• Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Welfare Council Limited

  collaborator OTHER

• Chinese University of Hong Kong

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

TRIPLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

21 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2024-02-01

Primary Completion

2025-01-31

Completion

2025-06-30

Countries

• Hong Kong

Study Locations