Love Group for Geriatric Psychiatry Outpatients

Launched by LONDON HEALTH SCIENCES CENTRE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OR LAWSON RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF ST. JOSEPH'S · May 16, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study tests a group therapy program called Awareness, Courage, and Love (ACL) for older adults who have a mental health condition and are receiving outpatient care. In this randomized trial, participants are assigned by chance to either join the ACL group therapy or be put on a waitlist (the control group). About 50 people are expected to participate. The ACL program brings about eight group sessions and uses ideas from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to help participants be more aware of their feelings, share openly, and support one another. Researchers will look at whether this approach is feasible and acceptable and whether it shows early signs of helping with loneliness and related well‑being.

Eligible participants are adults aged 60 and older with a psychiatric condition who speak English and can consent to participate. People who are disoriented, delirious, cannot participate meaningfully in group therapy, or cannot speak English are not eligible. The study is based in London, Ontario, at St. Joseph’s Health Care London, and results are not yet available. If you’re randomized to the waitlist, you would receive the ACL group therapy after the waiting period. Outcomes will focus on loneliness, overall satisfaction with the program, and attendance across the first two months, with the study planned to continue through early 2026.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Older adults with psychiatric disorder(s)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Individuals who are disoriented to person, delirious, unable to tolerate or participate meaningfully in the group, or otherwise unable to provide consent to research and psychotherapy
• • Unable to speak English