A Randomized Controlled Trial of ACT-P Versus T4C for Community Reentry

Not Applicable

• Conditions: Criminal Behavior; Violence
• Interventions: Behavioral: ACT-P; Behavioral: T4C

• Registration Number: NCT05109689
• Lead Sponsor: Iowa State University

Brief Summary

The purpose of the proposed study is to determine the efficacy of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for prisons (ACT-P) and Thinking for a Change (T4C) as reentry programs in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Detailed Description

The proposed study will focus on medium to high risk adult males, currently institutionalized and approaching release, who will be randomized to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for prisons (ACT-P) or the Thinking for a Change (T4C) program. ACT-P is a cognitive behavioral treatment that targets acceptance and mindfulness processes to reduce criminal behavior, and has been adapted for the prison setting. T4C is a widely used and well-established traditional cognitive behavioral program that targets changing criminal thinking.

The first aim of the study is to test the relative efficacy of the ACT-P intervention, compared to T4C, on recidivism. Recidivism will be measured in 3 ways: rearrests, reconvictions, and reincarceration during the 3 years post-release. A secondary aim is to test the theory of change and the proposed mechanisms of ACT-P and T4C. By focusing on the mechanisms that account for program success, it will provide insight into the theory of change underlying each program. Based on the theories underlying each treatment, we hypothesize differences in mechanisms of action between the two treatments. Given the emphasis in T4C on cognitive change, we predict stronger mediation effects in T4C for reductions in antisocial/criminal thinking. In contrast, we hypothesize that increases in psychological flexibility would be stronger mediators for ACT-P than for T4C.

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2021-10-27
• Study First Submitted QC: 2021-10-27
• Study First Posted: 2021-11-05
• Study Start: 2022-02-21
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-27
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-30
• Primary Completion: 2026-12
• Study Completion: 2026-12

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Sex: Male
• Target Recruitment: 400

Inclusion Criteria

• deemed medium or high risk according to the Iowa Risk Revised
• eligible and appropriate for cognitive programming as determined by normal operating procedures

Exclusion Criteria

• court-mandated to either program

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
ACT-P	ACT-P	ACT-P is a cognitive behavioral program based on acceptance and commitment therapy, and it has been modified for use in the prison setting.
T4C	T4C	Thinking for Change (T4C) is an evidence-based cognitive behavioral program focused on changing criminal thinking.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Rearrests, convictions, and reincarcerations	3 years post-release	Criminal activity

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Fort Dodge Correctional Facility; 🇺🇸 Fort Dodge, Iowa, United States