Improving psychosocial recovery after stroke

Developing a Novel Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke

Observational VA Office of Research and Development · NCT05380037

This study is trying to see how a new support program can help veterans who have had a stroke improve their emotional well-being and relationships as they recover.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorVA Office of Research and Development Federal
Locations1 site (Charleston, South Carolina)
Trial IDNCT05380037 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational study focuses on understanding the psychosocial challenges faced by veterans who have experienced a stroke. It aims to identify significant disruptions in emotional and interpersonal functioning and develop a cognitive-behavioral intervention to enhance psychosocial recovery. By assessing the impact of stroke on quality of life and adherence to rehabilitation, the study seeks to address the unmet needs of stroke survivors. Participants will include veterans with chronic stroke, their caregivers, and rehabilitation providers within the VA Healthcare system.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include veterans aged 18 and older who have experienced a chronic stroke and demonstrate psychosocial impairment.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have a chronic stroke or those without psychosocial impairment may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved psychosocial functioning and quality of life for stroke survivors.

How similar studies have performed: While there is limited evidence-based intervention specifically targeting psychosocial recovery post-stroke, similar approaches in other contexts have shown promise.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Participants must be 18 years or greater and will be recruited from all racial, ethnic and gender categories.
* Veterans with chronic stroke (n=50) must:

  * 1) have ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, primary intracerebral hematoma, or subarachnoid hemorrhage with at least 6 month chronicity
  * 2) demonstrate ability to perform the interview and complete questionnaires
  * 3) endorse mild to severe psychosocial impairment on the Brief Inventory of Psychosocial Functioning (B-IPF; Rodriguez et al., 2018), a 7-item measure developed specifically on Veterans with impairment in important domains of daily psychosocial function
* Caregiver/Loved ones (n=25) must be familiar with the trajectory of function and recovery of the identified Veteran with chronic stroke.
* Rehabilitation providers (n=25) of Veterans with chronic stroke must provide stroke-related care in the VA Healthcare system including (but not limited to) physical, speech, and occupational therapists, neurologists, and neuropsychologists.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Veterans with chronic stroke will be excluded for moderate to severe global aphasia that precludes qualitative interview completion, if those individuals cannot or do not wish to complete study procedures via written responses. (Note that to avoid limiting generalizability, these individuals will be invited to complete the questionnaire-based assessments in Aim 2).
* Participants will also be excluded for comorbid conditions that impact recall of stroke recovery history (e.g., dementia or psychosis).
* Caregiver/Loved ones will be excluded if the veteran stroke survivor has not provided consent for caregiver/loved one participation.

Where this trial is running

Charleston, South Carolina

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Strokequality of liferehabilitationdepressionanxiety
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.