SCED - Wisdom Enhancement for Post-Stroke Depression

NCT ID: NCT06451965

Last Updated: 2025-09-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 3 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-09-01
• Study Completion Date: 2025-03-06

Brief Summary

One-third of stroke survivors experience post-stroke depression, but there are currently no official guidelines for supporting them. Researchers aim to investigate whether the wisdom enhancement timeline technique can reduce depression in stroke survivors. The investigators also want to understand how this technique positively impacts mood, identity, self-esteem, and wisdom. The study will involve nine stroke survivors from the National Health Service (NHS) to gain insights into effective ways to support those with post-stroke depression.

Detailed Description

One-third of stroke survivors have post-stroke depression. Finding ways to help them feel more positive after such a challenging event can be tricky. Right now, there are no official guidelines on the best way to support post-stroke depression, and research into this is still growing. That is why the investigators want to see if the wisdom enhancement timeline can improve the mood and overall well-being of people who have had a stroke.

In this study, the investigators have two goals. First, the investigators want to see if the wisdom enhancement timeline technique can reduce depression in stroke survivors. Second, the investigators aim to discover how this technique brings positive mood changes.

The main question the investigators want to answer

1. Does enhancing wisdom through the timeline technique improve psychological outcomes (mood, identity, self-esteem) in post-stroke depressed individuals?

2. In post-stroke depressed individuals, is the improvement in wisdom the first indicator of subsequent improvements in identity, self-esteem, and mood?

It is hypothesised that wisdom will improve first following the session where wisdom is applied. This will then be followed by either identity or self-esteem, with mood improving last.

To carry out this study, the investigators will work with three stroke survivors receiving care from the National Health Service (NHS). By focusing on this smaller group, the investigators hope to gain insights into the effectiveness of the technique in reducing depression and enhancing the lives of stroke survivors. This study is essential as it could help the investigators understand the best way to support those with post-stroke depression.

Conditions

Post-stroke Depression

Study Design

• Allocation Method: NA
• Intervention Model: SINGLE_GROUP
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

Experimental: Wisdom Enhancement Timeline Intervention

Participants first complete a baseline observation phase of 2, 3, or 4 weeks (duration randomly assigned). During this phase, no intervention is provided and daily visual analogue scale ratings are recorded, along with administration of the PHQ-9 at the start of the phase. The baseline phase is then followed by six weekly one-hour therapy sessions delivering the Wisdom Enhancement Timeline intervention, during which daily ratings continued and the PHQ-9 was administered again at the end.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Timeline Intervention

Intervention Type: OTHER

The proposed intervention consists of six sessions. In Session One, the focus is on building rapport, assessing individual difficulties, setting client-focused goals, and introducing the timeline. Participants complete timeline examples during the session and as homework.

In Session Two, psychoeducation is provided regarding the impact of stroke, addressing changes in identity and associated feelings of grievance.

Session Three onwards introduces active change methods, encouraging reflection on complex life events. The aim is to promote resilience, meaning, self-compassion, and self-acceptance by exploring past coping strategies and finding significance in events of regret. This framework aims to enhance research on complex interventions, considering efficacy, effectiveness, theory-based approaches, and systems perspectives.

Interventions

Timeline Intervention

The proposed intervention consists of six sessions. In Session One, the focus is on building rapport, assessing individual difficulties, setting client-focused goals, and introducing the timeline. Participants complete timeline examples during the session and as homework.

In Session Two, psychoeducation is provided regarding the impact of stroke, addressing changes in identity and associated feelings of grievance.

Session Three onwards introduces active change methods, encouraging reflection on complex life events. The aim is to promote resilience, meaning, self-compassion, and self-acceptance by exploring past coping strategies and finding significance in events of regret. This framework aims to enhance research on complex interventions, considering efficacy, effectiveness, theory-based approaches, and systems perspectives.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Had a stroke.
• Those who self-report as having difficulties with depression to a clinician.
• Have sufficient cognitive and communication abilities for informed consent and active engagement

Exclusion Criteria

• Under the age of 18. Because this is the age when they are treated as an adult by UK law.
• Severe cognitive impairments or mental health difficulties that would hinder task engagement or provide informed consent.
• Medical instability jeopardising consistent participation or well-being.
• Significant risk concerns regarding safety to themselves or others.
• Substance use/dependency impacting adherence.
• Prescribed psychotropic medication less than 3 months ago.
• Currently involved in research.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

University of East Anglia

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Ercan T Hassan, PGDIP CBT

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

University of East Anglia

Locations

University of East Anglia

Norwich, , United Kingdom

Countries

United Kingdom

Provided Documents

Document Type: Study Protocol and Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

335191

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id