Rehabilitation Strategies for Social Participation in Chronic Stroke Survivors

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH · Jan 2, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring a new rehabilitation program designed to help people who have had a stroke return to social activities and live more independently in their communities. The program combines two approaches: strategy training and acceptance and commitment therapy (ST+ACT). Researchers want to see if people using this combined approach make more significant improvements in their social participation and flexibility in thinking, compared to those who only receive strategy training.

To participate, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have experienced a stroke at least six months prior, and currently live in the community but have difficulties with social activities. If eligible, participants will be assigned to either the ST+ACT program or the standard strategy training, each consisting of ten sessions conducted at home. They will undergo assessments before starting the program and again after the sessions and one month later to track their progress. This trial is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to provide valuable insights into effective rehabilitation methods for stroke survivors.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. primary diagnosis of chronic stroke, ≥6 months post onset,
• • 2. ≥18 years old,
• • 3. community-dwelling (i.e., living in a residential setting in the community),
• • 4. restrictions in social participation, indicated by Activity Card Sort (\<80% of pre-stroke activities)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. progressive neurological diagnosis (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumor) reported by participants or proxy,
• • 2. inability to provide written informed consent,
• • 3. severe aphasia (score 0 or 1 on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 3rd Edition Severity Rating Scale),
• • 4. currently undergoing stroke rehabilitation or mental health intervention (but participation in maintenance sessions, self-help groups, or couples therapy is permitted),
• • 5. major depressive disorder, indicated by PRIME-MD, unless undergoing treatment for at least 4 weeks and are released to participate by their physician or counselor
• • 6. bipolar or psychotic disorder, indicated by PRIME-MD, or
• • 7. substance use disorder within 3 months, indicated by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview