The acceptability of training to deliver online, group-based Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to stroke survivors: The experience of third-sector practitioners

The Wellbeing After Stroke (WAterS) study co-developed a nine-week, online, group-based intervention for stroke survivors, informed by Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and trained third-sector practitioners to deliver it. This study explored practitioners' perceptions of the acceptability of the training they received and their views prior to delivering the intervention. Semi-structured interviews were completed with practitioners after training, but before intervention delivery had begun. The interview schedule was guided by the Theoretical Framework of Acceptability. Template Analysis was used to inductively and deductively interpret the data. All eight WAterS-trained practitioners were interviewed. Five main themes were generated. Practitioners were motivated to deliver a stroke-specific therapy. Practitioners reported that training was understandable and that experiencing ACT during training benefitted practitioners' own wellbeing and increased their preparedness for intervention delivery. Previous experience affected their confidence to deliver. Practitioners expected the therapy to be acceptable to many stroke survivors. The online group context was expected to be beneficial, although they foresaw challenges in remotely facilitating groups with diverse accessibility needs. In conclusion, it may be acceptable to upskill a third-sector workforce to deliver a protocolised ACT-informed intervention to stroke survivors, potentially enabling greater reach of much needed psychological support.