Effect of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy on older stroke survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

INTRODUCTION: Older stroke survivors usually experience various psychology disorders, such as post-stroke depression (PSD), which may be associated with high experiential avoidance (EA) and can seriously affect their quality of life. To date, the efficacy of group-based acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for older stroke survivors has not been established. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of group-based ACT on EA, PSD, psychological distress, and quality of life in older stroke survivors after group-based ACT. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is a randomized, single-blind, wait-list controlled, parallel-arm trial. A total of 66 stroke survivors will be randomly assigned to wait-list control group or intervention group. Participants in wait-list control group will receive treatment as usual (TAU), while the intervention group will receive group-based ACT once a week for eight weeks. The primary outcome measure being EA, and the secondary outcome measures being PSD, psychological distress, and quality of life. Results of the two groups will be blindly assessed by professional evaluators at baseline (T0), post-treatment (T1), and one-month follow up (T2). DISCUSSION: The results of this study will provide the first evidence for the effectiveness of a group-based ACT intervention in reducing EA, PSD, psychological stress, and improving quality of life for post-stroke survivors. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200066361. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12906-023-04160-z.