Rehabilitation Strategies for Social Participation in Chronic Stroke Survivors
Overview
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Stroke
- Sponsor
- University of Pittsburgh
- Enrollment
- 54
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Feasibility: Fidelity (for each group)
- Status
- Recruiting
- Last Updated
- 7 months ago
Overview
Brief Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to test a new rehabilitation program, combining acceptance and commitment therapy with strategy training (ACES), to help people resume social participation after stroke and live in the community.
Investigators will also compare the changes in social participation and psychological flexibility from baseline to follow-up at one-month after rehabilitation to see if participants who receive ACES report clinically meaningful improvements (Cohen's d=0.2 or greater) compared to the existing rehabilitation program using strategy training alone (START).
Participants will:
- complete testing to see if they are eligible for the study. If qualified, complete testing to understand how the stroke has affected their daily life
- be randomized to receive either ACES or START rehabilitation program for 10 sessions at their home
- repeat part of the tests at the end of the intervention and one month after
Detailed Description
In April 2025, the investigator changed the recruitment status because the first enrolled participant ended up being ineligible. The investigators also updated eligibility criteria and outcome measures to be consistent with the IRB protocol. In June 2025, the investigator received notice of award from NIH and thus updated information to be consistent with the IRB protocol.
Investigators
Minmei Shih
Research Scientist
University of Pittsburgh
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •primary diagnosis of chronic stroke, ≥6 months post onset,
- •≥18 years old,
- •community-dwelling (i.e., living in a residential setting in the community),
- •restrictions in social participation, indicated by Activity Card Sort (\<80% of pre-stroke activities)
Exclusion Criteria
- •progressive neurological diagnosis (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumor) reported by participants or proxy,
- •inability to provide written informed consent,
- •severe aphasia (score 0 or 1 on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 3rd Edition Severity Rating Scale),
- •currently undergoing stroke rehabilitation or mental health intervention (but participation in maintenance sessions, self-help groups, or couples therapy is permitted),
- •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
- •bipolar or psychotic disorder, indicated by PRIME-MD, or
- •substance use disorder within 3 months, indicated by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Feasibility: Fidelity (for each group)
Time Frame: Baseline to Post-intervention up to 8 weeks
Fidelity is measured using Strategy Training (ST) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) fidelity tools. All intervention sessions will be video recorded and a random 20 percent will be rated by independent evaluators trained by the principal investigator. ST fidelity will be assessed with the 10-item fidelity tool with 8 or more items rated as adequate or excellent indicating adequate fidelity. ACES fidelity will be assessed with a 22-item tool generated from the 10-item ST and 12-item ACT fidelity tools, with 18 or more items rated as adequate or excellent indicating adequate fidelity. The a priori criterion for adequate fidelity was that equal or greater than 80 percent of intervention sessions are rated with equal or greater than 80 percent of adequate fidelity for each START and ACES intervention.
Feasibility: Satisfaction (for each group)
Time Frame: Baseline to Post-intervention up to 8 weeks
Client satisfaction is measured using the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire. The Clients Satisfaction Questionnaire is an 8-item assessment of satisfaction with the intervention program, rated on a 4-point scale that ranges from 1 to 4 in each item. An average score will be computed for each participant. High scores indicate high satisfaction. The a priori criterion for satisfaction was equal or greater than 80 percent of the sample has mean Client Satisfaction Questionnaire score of equal or greater than 2.5.
Secondary Outcomes
- Changes in social participation: Difficulty to participate in social activities(Baseline to 1- Month Post-intervention (Follow-up) up to 12 weeks)
- Changes in social participation: Satisfaction with social participation(Baseline to 1- Month Post-intervention (Follow-up) up to 12 weeks)
- Changes in psychological flexibility(Baseline to 1- Month Post-intervention (Follow-up) up to 12 weeks)
- Changes in wellbeing(Baseline to 1- Month Post-intervention (Follow-up) up to 12 weeks)