Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Parenting Children With Cerebral Palsy

Effects of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Outcomes and Quality of Life of Parents of Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The goal of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate whether a group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) can improve the psychological outcomes and quality of life (QOL) of children with cerebral palsy. The main questions it aims to answer are:

• Does a group-based ACT improve the psychological flexibility of the participants?
• Does a group-based ACT improve the psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and stress, of the participants?
• Does a group-based ACT improve the QOL of the participants?

Researchers will compare a group-based ACT to usual/standard care to determine whether ACT improves participants' psychological outcomes and QOL.

Participants will:

• Receive eight weekly, face-to-face, group-based ACT sessions, each lasting approximately 90 minutes.
• Receive home-based practices following each session.
• Receive a weekly phone call assessment to address any study-related concerns and provide reminders for the next appointment or assessment day.
• Complete the questionnaires at three times: baseline (before intervention), post-intervention (at 8 weeks), and follow-up (6 weeks post-intervention).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Parents of children under 18 years with any type and severity of cerebral palsy
• Able to communicate in Amharic, and
• Able to provide written consent for participation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Participants who have known psychological or psychiatric problems, and
• Participants who are currently participating or have participated in another similar or related study within six months