Exploring how social participation and psychological flexibility affect chronic stroke survivors
Official title: Social Participation & psychological flexibility in chronic stroke survivors
Funded at University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh · NIH-11054926 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how getting involved in social activities can help stroke survivors feel better and connect with others, and it’s testing a friendly approach that combines practice with support to help them overcome any fears that might hold them back.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pittsburgh, United States) |
| Project start | May 7, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $159,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R03HD114635-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11054926 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a stroke and are seeking to improve their social engagement and psychological well-being.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not stroke survivors or those who do not wish to participate in social activities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the importance of social participation for stroke survivors and how psychological flexibility can enhance their ability to engage in meaningful social activities. It combines strategy training, which involves practicing social activities with guidance, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), which helps individuals manage psychological barriers like fear of embarrassment. The goal is to determine if this combined approach can improve social participation outcomes for stroke survivors, ultimately aiming to reduce feelings of isolation and improve overall well-being.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could help stroke survivors regain their social connections and improve their mental health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using psychological interventions like ACT to improve outcomes for individuals with chronic conditions, suggesting potential success for this combined approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shih, Minmei — University of Pittsburgh at Pittsburgh
- Study coordinator: Shih, Minmei
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation to Improve Movement After Stroke
A new non-invasive technique called kilohertz Transcranial Magnetic Perturbation (kTMP) is being tested to improve arm movement in people who have chronic stroke.
-
Instrumented brain organoids for chronic stroke repair
A study exploring how tiny, living brain tissue 3D «organoids» attached to flexible, safer electrodes could help restore brain function after a stroke.
-
Multisensory support to improve standing balance after stroke
This project uses extra sensory feedback to help people with long-term stroke improve their standing balance.
-
Biomarkers to predict who benefits from high‑intensity aerobic training after chronic stroke
This project looks at blood and brain signals to figure out who with long‑term leg weakness after stroke will get better with high‑intensity aerobic training.
-
Improving hand function in stroke survivors with muscle activation techniques
This study is looking at how special techniques can help people who have had a moderate-to-severe stroke improve their hand use, making it easier for them to do everyday tasks and regain their independence.
-
Understanding balance control while walking in people with chronic stroke
This study looks at how people who have had a stroke keep their balance while walking in tricky situations, and it aims to find ways to help them improve their walking and balance during recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.