Compassion Strikes Back — support for LVAD patients and their caregivers
Official title: Compassion Strikes Back: Improving Dyadic Quality of Life for LVAD Patients and Caregivers
Run by University of Florida · NCT06988995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tests whether brief informational handouts or a short meeting with a psychologist can help adult LVAD patients and their primary family caregivers feel less stressed and improve quality of life during the first two months after hospital discharge.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Florida Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Gainesville, Florida) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | December 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | December 2026 |
| Study ends | December 2026 |
| Registry record updated | June 29, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06988995 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults who recently had LVAD implantation or their primary family caregivers who are able to complete in-hospital and two-month follow-up surveys and do not have recent or unmanaged serious psychiatric conditions.
✕Probably not a fit
People with recent psychiatric hospitalization, active suicidal thoughts, unmanaged psychosis or bipolar disorder, active substance use disorder requiring immediate treatment, recent psychotherapy or other ongoing psychosocial trials, toxic patient-caregiver relationships, or extended post-implant hospital stays are excluded and may not benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Participants are adults who either received a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or are the primary family caregiver of an LVAD patient and will complete two surveys: one while in the hospital and one at a two-month post-discharge cardiology visit. The intervention consists of providing information resources and, for some participants, a brief meeting with a psychology provider to discuss mental health and coping strategies. Investigators will follow up if survey data are missing and exclude people with recent psychotherapy, recent psychiatric hospitalization, active suicidal ideation, unmanaged serious mental illness, active substance use disorder requiring treatment, toxic patient-caregiver dynamics, or prolonged hospital stays after implantation. The goal is to test low-burden supports to ease the early transition from hospital to home for patient-caregiver dyads.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could improve mental health and day-to-day quality of life for LVAD patients and reduce caregiver strain during the early home transition.
How similar studies have gone: Brief psychosocial supports and self-compassion interventions have shown benefits in other chronic illness and caregiver groups, but focused evidence for the early post-LVAD transition is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * LVAD implantation or caregiver or patient with LVAD; over 18 years old; primary caregiver is a family member Exclusion Criteria: * Currently or in the past 3 months received psychotherapy or psychosocial or peer support; hospitalized for psychiatric reasons in the past 6 months; current, active suicidal thoughts or a reported suicide attempt within the past year; a current alcohol/substance use disorder that required immediate treatment; or a current or past thought disorder, psychosis, or unmanaged bipolar disorder; enrolled in another investigational research/clinical trial; toxic/negative dynamic between pt and caregiver; extended post-LVAD implantation course (i.e., more than 2 months in the hospital).
Where it's running
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University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida, United States Recruiting
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.