ACT-Based Psychoeducation for Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia (NCT07656558) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
ACT-Based Psychoeducation for Caregivers of Patients With Schizophrenia
Turkey (Türkiye)60 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
This randomized controlled trial aims to examine the effects of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)-based psychoeducation program on expressed emotion, perceived family burden, and psychological flexibility among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia attending a Community Mental Health Center.
The main questions this study aims to answer are:
* Does ACT-based psychoeducation reduce expressed emotion among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia?
* Does ACT-based psychoeducation reduce perceived family burden among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia?
* Does ACT-based psychoeducation improve psychological flexibility among caregivers of patients with schizophrenia?
Researchers will randomly assign eligible caregivers to either an intervention group receiving an 8-session ACT-based psychoeducation program or a control group receiving routine care.
Participants will:
* Complete assessment measures before the intervention (pre-test).
* Participate in 8 ACT-based psychoeducation sessions if assigned to the intervention group.
* Continue receiving routine care if assigned to the control group.
* Complete assessment measures immediately after the intervention (post-test).
* Complete follow-up assessments at 1 month and 3 months after the intervention.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Living with an individual diagnosed with schizophrenia who has been followed and actively receiving services from a Community Mental Health Center for at least one year.
* Being the primary caregiver responsible for the care of the individual diagnosed with schizophrenia.
* Having been involved in the care and treatment of the individual diagnosed with schizophrenia for at least 12 months prior to the study.
* Being between 18 and 65 years of age.
* Being literate.
* Being able to speak and understand Turkish.
* Willing to participate in the study and providing informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Having a medically diagnosed psychiatric disorder.
* Having a diagnosis of an organic mental disorder or intellectual disability.
* Having a physical impairment that may interfere with participation in the study or data collection process (e.g., hearing or speech impairment).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1This trial focuses on caregivers, not patients directly — does that mean it's my family member or I as a caregiver who would be participating, and how might that affect care for the person with schizophrenia?
2The trial is measuring something called 'psychological flexibility' using an approach called ACT — can you explain what Acceptance and Commitment Therapy involves and whether you think it's a good fit for our family's situation compared to other caregiver support options?
3Since this trial isn't recruiting yet, how long might it realistically be before we could even consider joining, and is there something similar already available now that could help reduce caregiver burden in the meantime?
4The trial also measures 'expressed emotion,' which I understand relates to how family members communicate with someone who has schizophrenia — could high expressed emotion be affecting my loved one's symptoms right now, and is addressing it a priority?
5This is listed as Phase NA, which I think means it's not a drug trial — but can you help me understand what the risks or downsides of participating in a psychoeducation study like this might still be for our family?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Perceived Family Burden
Timeframe: Time Frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.
2
Psychological Flexibility
Timeframe: Time Frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.
3
Expressed Emotion
Timeframe: Time Frame: Baseline (pre-test), immediately post-intervention (post-test), 1-month follow-up, and 3-month follow-up.