Effects of teaching resourcefulness and acceptance on affect, behavior, and cognition of chronically ill elders.

This clinical trial examined changes in affect, behavior, and cognition in 176 chronically ill elders who were randomly assigned to Resourcefulness Training (RT), Acceptance Training (AT), or Diversional Activities (DA). The RT group improved on affect (t(1,42) = 4.91; p < .001) and cognition (t(1,42) = 2.03; p < .05) and these effects lasted 12 weeks. The AT group improved on affect (t(1,36) = 3.08; p < .01), but this improvement did not persist. The RT and AT groups both showed positive behavior changes after six weeks. There were no changes in the DA group. The findings suggest that teaching elders resourcefulness and acceptance of chronic conditions may promote healthy functioning and improve their quality of life.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes