Welcome to iCOMMEND
A self-help, online intervention based on a form of psychological therapy called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people living with motor neuron disease (MND).
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A new way to access psychological support
An online self-help approach that could make accessing psychological support easier for people living with motor neuron disease (MND).
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Based on the groundbreaking COMMEND clinical trial
The COMMEND clinical trial showed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help people living with motor neuron disease (MND) to manage their quality of life and mood.
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The iCOMMEND study aims to develop and test a self-help, online psychological intervention for people living with motor neuron disease (MND).
Online psychological support for people living with MND
MND is a progressive, fatal neurological condition that affects the nerves that control muscles and can lead to changes in movement, speech, swallowing and breathing.
People can experience significant distress due to the challenges that MND can bring and the negative impact it can have on people’s lives. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to access psychological support to help manage these challenges.
An online, self-help intervention, supported by an MND healthcare professional, could make psychological support more accessible to more people living with MND.
- Designed specifically for people living with MND.
- Accessible when and where you need it.
- Accessible on a range of devices (including laptops, tablets and smartphones).
However, we don’t know whether this type of approach will be acceptable or helpful to people living with MND, and so this is what we aim to test in the iCOMMEND study.
ACT
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a form of psychological therapy that helps people to:
Connect with what matters
Identify what really matters to them and consider how to stay connected with this alongside the challenges that MND brings.
Open up and be present
Learn how to make room for distressing thoughts and feelings that come with MND, rather than struggling with them, and be in the present moment more.
Take action to do what matters
Explore the actions they can take, no matter how small, that reflect what really matters to them, whilst recognising the limitations that MND brings.
Why this matters
We have shown that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can help people living with MND to manage their quality of life and mood. We want to make sure that more people living with MND can access it.
Responding to unmet need
Psychologists are not routinely part of the MND multidisciplinary team, which means that accessing psychological therapy can be difficult.
Increasing accessibility of psychological support
A self-help, online approach will mean that more people can access psychological support when and where suits them.
Informing future care
The findings of the study may help inform future clinical guidance and care for people living with MND.
Team
Find out more information about the iCOMMEND team.
Professor Rebecca Gould
University College London
Professor Chris McDermott
University of Sheffield
Professor Lance McCracken
Uppsala University
Professor Eneida Mioshi
University of East Anglia
Dr Jennie Starkey
Ms Jan Clarke
Frequently Asked Questions
Some common questions about iCOMMEND are shown below. If you have any questions that are not answered here then please contact us.
What is iCOMMEND?
iCOMMEND is a research study aiming to develop and test a self-help online psychological intervention based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for people living with motor neuron disease (MND).
Who is funding the iCOMMEND study?
The iCOMMEND study is funded by the Motor Neurone Disease Association, who are the UK’s leading charity for those living with and affected by MND.
What is motor neuron disease?
Motor neuron disease is a progressive, fatal neurological condition that affects the nerves that control muscles, such as those involved in moving, speaking, swallowing and breathing. The nature and outlook of the condition can cause significant psychological distress.
What is Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)?
ACT is a form of psychological therapy that focuses on helping people to live their lives in ways that are important and meaningful to them, alongside whatever difficulties they might be experiencing such as MND.
How might the iCOMMEND online psychological intervention help me?
We previously showed that Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, tailored to the specific needs of people living with MND, can help them to manage their quality of life and mood. We hope that similar benefits will be seen with this online version of the COMMEND intervention.
How can I access the iCOMMEND online psychological intervention?
Click on the Register button at the top of the page to learn more about getting involved in the iCOMMEND research study.
Contact
If you have any questions about the iCOMMEND study then please contact a member of the team by completing the form below.
Address
iCOMMEND
UCL Division of Psychiatry
4th floor, Maple House
149 Tottenham Court Road
London W1T 7NF