Randomised controlled feasibility trial of online group acceptance and commitment therapy for functional cognitive...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Psychiatry
• Psychology

Background:

• Functional cognitive disorder (FCD) is a subtype of functional neurological disorder with limited treatment options.
• A brief online group Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention was developed for FCD.
• Existing treatments for FCD are limited, necessitating novel therapeutic approaches.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) for an online ACT intervention compared to treatment as usual (TAU) for FCD.
• To assess recruitment and retention rates for a potential RCT.
• To evaluate intervention acceptability and preliminary efficacy signals.

Main Methods:

• A parallel-group, single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted.
• Participants were recruited from London-based cognitive neurology, neuropsychiatry, and memory clinics.
• Feasibility was assessed via recruitment/retention, intervention acceptability, and a signal of efficacy on the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire II (AAQ-II).

Main Results:

• 44 participants were randomized, with a 51.1% participation rate.
• High retention was observed, with 81.8% of ACT participants attending at least four sessions.
• The ACT group showed a trend towards improved psychological flexibility (AAQ-II) and positive trends in quality of life and mood.

Conclusions:

• Conducting a randomized controlled trial of online ACT versus TAU for FCD is feasible.
• The intervention demonstrated high participant satisfaction and good retention rates.
• Preliminary data suggest potential efficacy, warranting further investigation in a fully powered trial.