Evaluation of a program for training psychologists in an acceptance and commitment therapy resilience intervention for people with multiple sclerosis: a single-arm longitudinal design with a nested qualitative study

This single-arm longitudinal study evaluated the effectiveness of a program for training psychologists in delivering an acceptance and commitment therapy-based program (REsilience and Activities for every DaY; READY) for people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The training encompassed three phases: (1) training workshop; (2) READY participation; (3) READY delivery to PwMS. Self-report data were collected immediately before the workshop, before and after participation in READY, and at 3- and 15-month follow-ups. Forty psychologists successfully completed the training. The training was effective in fostering the acquisition of knowledge and skills for effective delivery of READY to PwMS. Participants improved over the course of training in resilience, positive affect, wellbeing, psychological flexibility, and associated processes. These improvements peaked during the participation in READY phase and continued to accrue at a slower rate three months later. Psychological flexibility mediated the improvements in resilience, positive affect, and wellbeing. Qualitative data confirmed the personal, professional, and multiple sclerosis (MS) psychologist community level positive training impacts. The training fostered positive professional and personal development in trainees and consolidated the integration of READY into a frontline service for PwMS. To date, more than 50 READY groups for PwMS have been conducted in Italy.Implications for rehabilitationTraining psychologists in delivering an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based resilience intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with positive personal and professional impacts for the trainees.The training program strengthened the sense of community among members of the professional network who attended as trainees.In ACT training, psychological flexibility plays a key role in improving resilience, positive affect, and wellbeing in trainees, and is therefore an important intervention target.ACT training for practitioners fosters the integration of ACT-based interventions into frontline services. Training psychologists in delivering an acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)-based resilience intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with positive personal and professional impacts for the trainees. The training program strengthened the sense of community among members of the professional network who attended as trainees. In ACT training, psychological flexibility plays a key role in improving resilience, positive affect, and wellbeing in trainees, and is therefore an important intervention target. ACT training for practitioners fosters the integration of ACT-based interventions into frontline services.

本单臂纵向研究评估了一项培训项目的有效性：该项目旨在训练心理学家为多发性硬化患者（people with multiple sclerosis，PwMS）实施基于接纳与承诺疗法（Acceptance and Commitment Therapy，ACT）的「每日韧性与活动（REsilience and Activities for every DaY，简称READY）」项目。该培训涵盖三个阶段：（1）培训工作坊；（2）参与READY项目；（3）向PwMS实施READY项目。
研究分别于工作坊开展前、参与READY项目前后，以及3个月、15个月随访时点收集自我报告数据。最终共有40名心理学家顺利完成全部培训。
该培训可有效助力受训者掌握为PwMS实施READY项目所需的专业知识与实操技能。受训者在培训全程中，在韧性、积极情绪、幸福感、心理灵活性及相关心理过程维度均出现显著改善，上述改善在READY项目参与阶段达到峰值，并在3个月随访时点仍以较慢速率持续累积。
心理灵活性在受训者韧性、积极情绪与幸福感的改善过程中发挥中介作用。质性研究数据证实，本次培训在个人层面、职业层面以及多发性硬化（multiple sclerosis，MS）心理学家社群层面均产生了积极影响。
该培训促进了受训者的职业与个人发展，并推动READY项目整合为面向PwMS的一线临床服务。截至目前，意大利已开展超过50个面向PwMS的READY项目组别。

康复领域启示：
为心理学家开展基于ACT的多发性硬化患者韧性干预培训，可为受训者带来积极的个人与职业收益。
该培训项目强化了参训受训者构成的专业网络社群的联结感。
在ACT培训中，心理灵活性是改善受训者韧性、积极情绪与幸福感的关键因素，因此是重要的干预靶点。
面向从业者的ACT培训可推动基于ACT的干预方案整合入一线临床服务。
为心理学家开展基于ACT的多发性硬化患者韧性干预培训，可为受训者带来积极的个人与职业收益。
该培训项目强化了参训受训者构成的专业网络社群的联结感。
在ACT培训中，心理灵活性是改善受训者韧性、积极情绪与幸福感的关键因素，因此是重要的干预靶点。
面向从业者的ACT培训可推动基于ACT的干预方案整合入一线临床服务。