Testing a Positive Psychology-based Intervention for Couples Coping With Stroke

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

68 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2017-04-14

Study Completion Date

2020-03-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to pilot test an 8-week, self-administered dyadic (couples-based) positive psychology intervention for couples coping with stroke using a randomized, waitlist control design. Mood and well-being will be assessed pre- and post-intervention, and at 3-month follow-up. It is expected that both partners will demonstrate improvement in mood and well-being.

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Detailed Description

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Stroke survivors and spousal caregivers face significant challenges, yet interventions to support couples after stroke are largely lacking. Depressive symptoms post-stroke occur in 30-50% of survivors and partner caregivers, and have significant consequences on function and quality of life. Further, mood and psychosocial well-being are reciprocal in couples, meaning if one partner is depressed, the other is more likely to be depressed. Sustaining well-being in both partners is important for continued engagement in rehabilitation and re-integration into the community, yet existing interventions are aimed at the individual rather than the couple. This study will address this gap by testing an innovative dyadic (couples-based) intervention using a new approach based on positive psychology that focuses on the strengths in the relationship in order to foster resilience in the couple. Using a randomized waitlist control design, this pilot study aims to determine whether an 8-week dyadic positive psychology-based intervention (PPI) can improve mood and subjective well-being as assessed by established outcome measures in 24 couples coping with stroke. The intervention consists of self-administered PPI activities, such as expressing gratitude and practicing acts of kindness, which participants complete individually and as a couple. Two potential pathways will be explored for the PPI: (a) enhanced quality of interactions as couples deal with daily life demands and (b) improvements in mood that are "contagious" among couples. If found effective, couples with greater well-being may be better emotionally equipped to cope with the sequelae of stroke by reducing stress and depressive symptoms, and increasing participation in meaningful activities and quality of life.

Conditions

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Stroke Depression Depressive Symptoms Post-stroke Depression

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Waitlist control design; participants are assigned to receive intervention or be waitlisted for 4-6 weeks and then receive intervention.

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

SINGLE

Outcome Assessors

Study Groups

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Positive Psychology Intervention

Participants complete baseline assessments and receive a 20min training on the positive psychology activities. They are instructed to engage in at least 2 positive psychology activities alone and at least 2 as a couple each week for 8 weeks. Self-administered activities include expressing gratitude, practicing acts of kindness, focusing on the positive, fostering relationships, working toward a goal, spirituality, savoring. Post-intervention and 3-month follow-up assessments are completed.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Dyadic (couples-based) positive psychology intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Self-administered behavioral intervention in which participants complete at least 2 activities alone and 2 together each week for 8 weeks. Positive psychology activities include expressing gratitude, practicing acts of kindness, fostering relationships, working toward a goal, focusing on the positive, spirituality, and savoring.

Waitlist control

Participants complete a baseline assessment and are waitlisted for 4-6 weeks. They then complete another assessment, receive the 20min training on activities, and then complete the 8-week self-administered intervention (same as the experimental arm). Post-intervention and 3-month follow up assessments are also completed.

Group Type OTHER

Dyadic (couples-based) positive psychology intervention

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Self-administered behavioral intervention in which participants complete at least 2 activities alone and 2 together each week for 8 weeks. Positive psychology activities include expressing gratitude, practicing acts of kindness, fostering relationships, working toward a goal, focusing on the positive, spirituality, and savoring.

Interventions

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Dyadic (couples-based) positive psychology intervention

Self-administered behavioral intervention in which participants complete at least 2 activities alone and 2 together each week for 8 weeks. Positive psychology activities include expressing gratitude, practicing acts of kindness, fostering relationships, working toward a goal, focusing on the positive, spirituality, and savoring.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Couples consist of one partner who had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke \>3 months ago and a cohabiting partner (\> 1 year) who self-identifies as the caregiver and is willing to enroll in the study;
* Either one or both partner(s) report depressive symptoms as assessed by the PROMIS-D (no formal diagnosis is required).

Exclusion Criteria

* the caregiver has had a stroke or other major neurological condition;
* either partner is unable to understand the printed English instructions;
* either partner scores \<19 (the established cut-off for mild cognitive impairment) on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a validated screening instrument for cognitive performance.

Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes