%0 Journal Article
%@ 1929-0748
%I JMIR Publications
%V 11
%N 4
%P e33783
%T 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
%A Moran,Orla
%A Doyle,Julie
%A Giggins,Oonagh
%A McHugh,Louise
%A Gould,Evelyn
%A Smith,Suzanne
%A Gavin,Shane
%A Sojan,Nisanth
%A Boyle,Gordon
%+ NetwellCASALA, Dundalk Institute of Technology, PJ Carroll Building, Dublin Road, Dundalk, A91 K584, Ireland, 353 429370400 ext 2074, orla.moran@dkit.ie
%K cardiac disease
%K acceptance and commitment therapy
%K distress management
%K self-management
%K single case experimental design
%K digital health
%D 2022
%7 1.4.2022
%9 Protocol
%J JMIR Res Protoc
%G English
%X 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 
%M 35363156
%R 10.2196/33783
%U https://www.researchprotocols.org/2022/4/e33783
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/33783
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35363156