@Article{info:doi/10.2196/33783,
author="Moran, Orla
and Doyle, Julie
and Giggins, Oonagh
and McHugh, Louise
and Gould, Evelyn
and Smith, Suzanne
and Gavin, Shane
and Sojan, Nisanth
and Boyle, Gordon",
title="Efficacy of a Digital Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Intervention for the Improvement of Self-management Behaviors and Psychological Flexibility in Adults With Cardiac Disease: Protocol for a Single Case Experimental Design",
journal="JMIR Res Protoc",
year="2022",
month="Apr",
day="1",
volume="11",
number="4",
pages="e33783",
keywords="cardiac disease; acceptance and commitment therapy; distress management; self-management; single case experimental design; digital health",
abstract="Background: Research indicates that the management of distress levels in those with cardiac disease is not only important for improving quality of life and functioning but also critical for condition management; adherence to treatment; and, ultimately, disease prognosis and progression. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) has consistently demonstrated positive long-term outcomes across a wide array of conditions, including chronic illness. However, most empirical investigations conducted to date have also involved in-person therapy, which can be difficult to access, particularly for those dealing with the demands of chronic disease. Objective: The objective of our research is to evaluate a digital ACT intervention for improving self-management behaviors and distress levels in those with cardiac conditions. Methods: The digital ACT intervention will be delivered via a digital health self-management platform over 6 sessions. This will involve a randomized, multiple baseline, single case experimental design with approximately 3 to 15 adults with cardiac disease. The independent variable for each participant will be the pre-post intervention phase. The dependent variables will be a daily self-report measure of psychological flexibility as well as objective measures of condition self-management (eg, blood pressure readings) and engagement with the app (eg, completing guided mindfulness). One-to-one qualitative interviews will also be conducted to further examine participants' experiences with using the intervention and what factors contribute to or impede successful outcomes. Results: Participant recruitment and data collection began in October 2021, and it is projected that the study findings will be available for dissemination by spring 2022. Conclusions: The findings will be discussed in terms of how a digital ACT intervention can best meet the needs of cardiac patients. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/33783 ",
issn="1929-0748",
doi="10.2196/33783",
url="https://www.researchprotocols.org/2022/4/e33783",
url="https://doi.org/10.2196/33783",
url="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35363156"
}