WeACT Program for Caregivers of People With Dementia

Overseen By Jeremy Jenkins, MS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of South Florida

Disqualifiers: Severe depression, Suicidal intent, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

Duration: 6-8 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial evaluates a new self-paced, web-based program called WeACT. It aims to assist family caregivers of individuals with dementia by teaching skills to manage stress and focus on priorities. The study seeks to determine if caregivers can complete the program and if it improves their mental health and coping skills. Suitable participants are adults caring for a relative with dementia, experiencing mild to moderate depression, and having internet access. Participants will complete online modules, answer questionnaires, and share experiences in an online interview. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative research that could enhance caregiver support.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on a web-based program for caregivers, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that the WeACT program is safe for caregivers?

Research has shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), including the WeACT program, is generally safe for caregivers of people with dementia. In previous studies, caregivers using ACT experienced improvements, such as better mental health and fewer negative feelings. No major reports of harm or side effects emerged. This suggests that the WeACT program, an online version of ACT, should be easy for participants to use. It aims to help caregivers manage stress and enhance their coping skills. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the WeACT program because it offers a fresh approach to supporting caregivers of people with dementia. Unlike traditional support options such as in-person therapy sessions, the WeACT program is a self-paced, web-based format that provides flexibility and accessibility for caregivers juggling demanding schedules. The program utilizes Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), focusing on helping caregivers develop psychological flexibility and resilience through interactive online modules and daily practice sections. This innovative delivery method allows caregivers to access support anytime, anywhere, potentially reaching a broader audience than conventional methods.

What evidence suggests that the WeACT program is effective for caregivers of people with dementia?

Research shows that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can benefit caregivers of people with dementia. Studies have found that ACT improves mental health by teaching strategies to manage difficult thoughts and feelings. In this trial, participants will complete the WeACT program, a self-paced, web-based ACT program. Programs like WeACT have helped caregivers focus on what matters most while managing stress. Early studies with online ACT demonstrated improvements in depression and adaptability. These findings suggest that WeACT may help caregivers feel better and manage stress more effectively. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Areum Han

Principal Investigator

University of South Florida

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for adult family caregivers of individuals living with dementia. Participants should be willing to engage with a web-based program and provide feedback through questionnaires and an interview.

Inclusion Criteria

Present mild to moderate depressive symptoms, as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), with scores between 5 and 14

Have access to a web-enabled device (i.e., a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop) with internet access

I am over 18 and the main caregiver for a relative with dementia.

Exclusion Criteria

Cognitive, physical, or sensory impairments, or language barriers (non-English communicator) that might impede study participation

Present moderately severe to severe depressive symptoms, defined as PHQ-9 scores between 15 and 27

Have previously participated in a research study that involved an ACT program

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1-2 weeks

Online eligibility screening survey

Treatment

Participants complete the WeACT program, which includes six self-paced weekly online modules and daily practice sections

6-8 weeks

Online modules and daily practice

Follow-up

Participants complete post-intervention questionnaires and participate in an online interview to assess mental health outcomes and user experience

1-2 weeks

Online questionnaires and interview

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• WeACT

Trial Overview

The WeACT program, a self-paced online intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), is being tested for its feasibility and effectiveness in improving mental health and coping skills of caregivers.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) group Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The ACT group will complete the WeACT program, a self-paced, web-based ACT program that includes six weekly online modules and a daily practice section.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of South Florida

Lead Sponsor

Trials

433

Recruited

198,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Citations

1.

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11027053/

A Web-Based Intervention Based on Acceptance and ...

This study aimed to boost psychological flexibility and support caregivers, enabling them to realize and prioritize their own life values alongside their ...

2.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04847986

Guided Eight-week Online Acceptance and Commitment ...

The pilot randomized controlled trial aims to assess effects of a guided online acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) intervention on distressed family ...

3.

sciencedirect.com

sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735823000995

The use of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in ...

Outcomes from a pilot online acceptance and commitment therapy program for dementia family caregivers. Aging & Mental Health, 26 (8) (2021), pp. 1620-1629 ...

4.

tandfonline.com

tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13607863.2021.1942432

Outcomes from a pilot online Acceptance and Commitment ...

Face-to-face therapist-led Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is highly effective in dementia caregivers, as established by two different randomized ...

5.

formative.jmir.org

formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e67545

Videoconference-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment ...

The videoconference-delivered ACT program showed promise in improving mental health outcomes and ACT processes among family caregivers with depression.

6.

clinicaltrials.gov

clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05749939

Acceptance Commitment Therapy for Caregivers of People ...

The ACT for Caregivers Stage I pilot study (with the longer 10-session format) demonstrated improved outcomes but inadequate power to examine more nuanced ...

7.

tandfonline.com

tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13607863.2025.2568160

Experiences of informal caregivers of people with dementia ...

ACT was found to have a positive influence on caregivers, including changed cognition, improved action capacity, and reduced negative emotions. Caregivers were ...

8.

ctv.veeva.com

ctv.veeva.com/study/the-weact-program-for-family-caregivers-of-people-living-with-dementia

The WeACT Program for Family Caregivers of People Living ...

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn whether WeACT, a self-paced, web-based program, is feasible and helpful for adult family ...