Strategy Training and Pets to Promote Stroke Survivor's Cognitive Performance and Community Participation

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF HAIFA · Oct 15, 2021

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at how a special program called strategy training can help stroke survivors improve their thinking skills and get more involved in their communities. The study will include adults who have had a stroke and are living in the community, both those who have pets and those who do not. Researchers want to find out if having a pet makes a difference in how well stroke survivors can think and participate in activities they enjoy.

To be part of this study, participants need to be at least 65 years old, have had a stroke at least three months ago, and have some difficulties with thinking or daily activities. They should also be willing to join a six-week program that involves two sessions each week at home. However, people with severe dementia, certain speech difficulties, or other serious mental health issues will not be eligible. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to help stroke survivors regain independence and improve their quality of life.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • Stroke survivors with pets
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Primary diagnosis of acute stroke
• • 2. At least 3 months after the stroke onset
• • 3. Living in a community residence with a pet
• • 4. Cognitive impairment as indicated by an Executive Interview score of 3 or higher
• • 5. Participation restrictions as indicated by an Activity Card Sort (\<80% of pre-stroke activities)
• • 6. Willing to participate in a 6-week program with 2 intervention sessions per week at home
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Dementia as indicated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or lower
• • 2. Severe aphasia as indicated by the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Severity Score of 0 or 1
• • 3. Self-report of a central nervous system disorder other than stroke
• • 4. Recent drug or alcohol addiction/abuse within 3 months prior to the Mini-Neuropsychiatric Interview
• • 5. Severe mental illness as indicated by the PRIME-MD
• • 6. Prior exposure to strategy training
• • 7. Currently participate in rehabilitation therapy programs
• • Stroke survivors without pets
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Primary diagnosis of acute stroke
• • 2. At least 3 months after the stroke onset
• • 3. Living in a community residence
• • 4. Cognitive impairment as indicated by an Executive Interview score of 3 or higher
• • 5. Participation restrictions as indicated by an Activity Card Sort (\<80% of pre-stroke activities)
• • 6. Willing to participate in a 6-week program with 2 intervention sessions per week at home
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Dementia as indicated by Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of 18 or lower
• • 2. Severe aphasia as indicated by the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination Severity Score of 0 or 1
• • 3. Self-report of a central nervous system disorder other than stroke
• • 4. Recent drug or alcohol addiction/abuse within 3 months prior to the Mini-Neuropsychiatric Interview
• • 5. Severe mental illness as indicated by the PRIME-MD
• • 6. Prior exposure to strategy training
• • 7. Currently participate in rehabilitation therapy programs