Restoring social participation after chronic stroke with strategy training plus acceptance and commitment therapy

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This randomized, home-based intervention assigns community-dwelling adults at least six months after stroke to 10 sessions of either standard strategy training (START) or strategy training embedded with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy principles (ACES). Social participation and psychological flexibility are measured at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one month later to compare changes between groups. The primary aim is to see if ACES produces clinically meaningful improvements (Cohen's d ≥ 0.2) in social participation compared with START. Key exclusions include progressive neurological disease, severe aphasia, active stroke rehabilitation or untreated major depression, and bipolar or psychotic disorders.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

1. primary diagnosis of chronic stroke, ≥6 months post onset,
2. ≥18 years old,
3. community-dwelling (i.e., living in a residential setting in the community),
4. restrictions in social participation, indicated by Activity Card Sort (\<80% of pre-stroke activities)

Exclusion Criteria:

1. progressive neurological diagnosis (e.g., dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, or brain tumor) reported by participants or proxy,
2. inability to provide written informed consent,
3. severe aphasia (score 0 or 1 on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination 3rd Edition Severity Rating Scale),
4. currently undergoing stroke rehabilitation or mental health intervention (but participation in maintenance sessions, self-help groups, or couples therapy is permitted),
5. major depressive disorder, indicated by PRIME-MD, unless undergoing treatment for at least 4 weeks and are released to participate by their physician or counselor
6. bipolar or psychotic disorder, indicated by PRIME-MD, or
7. substance use disorder within 3 months, indicated by Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview

Where it's running

• University of Pittsburgh
  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States Recruiting

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Minmei Shih, PhD — University of Pittsburgh
• Study coordinator: Minmei Shih, PhD
• Email: mis235@pitt.edu
• Phone: 412-383-4551

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.