Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Versus Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) for Dementia Family Caregivers With Significant Depressive Symptoms: Results of a Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The differential efficacy of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) for dementia family caregivers' is analyzed through a randomized controlled trial. Method: Participants were 135 caregivers with high depressive symptomatology who were randomly allocated to the intervention conditions or a control group (CG). Pre-, postintervention, and follow-up measurements assessed depressive symptomatology, anxiety, leisure, dysfunctional thoughts, and experiential avoidance. Results: Depression: Significant effects of interventions compared with CG were found for CBT (p < .001, d = 0.98, number needed to treat [NNT] = 3.61) and ACT (p < .001, d = 1.17, NNT = 3.53) at postintervention, but were maintained only at follow-up for CBT (p = .02, d = 0.74, NNT = 9.71). Clinically significant change was observed in 26.7% participants in CBT, 24.2% in ACT, and 0% in CG. At follow-up, 10.53% in CBT and 4% in ACT were recovered (0% CG). Anxiety: At postintervention, ACT participants showed lower anxiety than CBT participants (p < .05, d = 0.50) and CG participants (p < .01, d = 0.79, NNT = 3.86), with no effects at follow-up. At postintervention, 23.33% in CBT, 36.36% in ACT, and 6.45% in CG showed clinically significant change. At follow-up, 26.32% in CBT, 36% in ACT, and 13.64% in CG were recovered. Significant changes at postintervention were found in leisure and dysfunctional thoughts in both ACT and CBT, with changes in experiential avoidance only for ACT. Conclusion: Similar results were obtained for ACT and CBT. ACT seems to be a viable and effective treatment for dementia caregivers. What is the public health significance of this article? One of every four dementia caregivers treated with acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) or cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) shows a clinically significant reduction in depressive and anxiety symptoms at postintervention as compared with caregivers in the control group. The findings suggest that adding booster sessions may consolidate the outcomes of brief ACT and CBT interventions for dementia caregivers. ACT may be an appropriate alternative to CBT for helping dementia caregivers with high depressive symptoms.