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Problem-Solving Therapy for Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life in Stroke Survivor-Caregiver Dyads

Stroke Survivor-Caregiver Dyads: Feasibility of a Brief Psychosocial Intervention for Depressive Symptoms and Quality of Life

Status
Completed
Phases
NA
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT04035681
Enrollment
28
Registered
2019-07-29
Start date
2019-06-10
Completion date
2020-07-22
Last updated
2020-09-02

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Stroke, Quality of Life, Depression

Brief summary

The purpose of this feasibility study is to determine whether it is practical and helpful to provide problem-solving therapy to stroke survivors and their spouses/partners (caregivers) together. It will also compare the experiences of participants who receive problem-solving therapy to those who receive stroke-related health education. Many stroke survivors and caregivers report feeling sad or blue at some point after the stroke. These feelings can impact quality of life. Encountering problems is a part of daily life. These problems can be big or small, but sometimes they can pile up and feel overwhelming, contributing to feelings of sadness. Problem-solving therapy is a tool that teaches structured ways to address current problems or challenges in your life. Participants who are assigned to receive problem-solving therapy will work with a research team member for six, one-hour sessions. During each session, participants will identify a problem (big or small) and create a plan to work on that problem. Participants who are assigned to receive stroke-related health education will work with a research team member who will teach them about various topics related to stroke over six, one-hour sessions. Each session will cover information about a different topic related to stroke. Outcomes data will be collected at approximately 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 13 weeks from baseline.

Interventions

Problem-Solving Therapy is a brief psychosocial intervention for management of depressive symptoms. Participants will have six, one-hour sessions with an interventionist to learn a structured approach to problem-solving.

OTHERStroke-Related Health Education

The stroke-related health education program will teach participants about various topics related to stroke. Participants will have six, one-hour sessions with an interventionist to learn about different topics related to stroke.

Sponsors

University of Minnesota
CollaboratorOTHER
Agnes Marshall Walker Foundation
CollaboratorUNKNOWN
Allina Health System
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Masking
SINGLE (Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 70 Years
Healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

1. Both dyad participants are at least 18 years of age. 2. The stroke survivor experienced an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least 3 months prior to enrollment. 3. The caregiver is a spouse/partner who provides regular, unpaid support for the survivor in activities of daily living. 4. Both dyad members are willing and able understand and comply with protocol requirements.

Exclusion criteria

1. The stroke survivor has severe expressive or receptive aphasia or global aphasia, as documented in the medical record by a speech pathologist or other provider. 2. Either dyad member is unable to write, as this will interfere with completion of MiniCog assessment. 3. Either dyad member has significant cognitive impairment, evidenced by MiniCog score \<4 at screening. 4. Either dyad member reports an intent to harm him/herself or others. 5. Either dyad member has any concurrent conditions that would interfere with participation.

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Study Recruitment SuccessAt initial contact.Percentage of eligible candidates who enroll in the study.
Study RetentionThrough study completion, an average of 13 weeks.Total percentage of participants who complete the study.
Protocol AdherenceThrough study completion, an average of 13 weeks.Total percentage of protocol-specified activities completed by enrolled participants.
Intervention AcceptabilityPost-intervention, at approximately 8 weeks.Participant experience collected via self-report survey.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Pre/post-intervention changes in depressive symptoms among caregivers.Baseline and post-intervention, covering an average of 8 weeks.Pre/post-intervention changes in 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores.
Pre/post-intervention changes in quality of life among caregivers.Baseline and post-intervention, covering an average of 8 weeks.Pre/post-intervention changes in Euroqol 5-item QOL scale (EQ-5D) scores.
Pre/post-intervention changes in depressive symptoms among stoke survivors.Baseline and post-intervention, covering an average of 8 weeks.Pre/post-intervention changes in 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores.
Pre/post-intervention changes in quality of life among stoke survivors.Baseline and post-intervention, covering an average of 8 weeks.Pre/post-intervention changes in Euroqol 5-item QOL scale (EQ-5D) scores.

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026