SCED - Wisdom Enhancement for Post-Stroke Depression (WE-PSD)

University of East Anglia

Status: Completed

Conditions: Post-stroke Depression

Treatments: Other: Timeline Intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06451965

335191

Details and patient eligibility

About

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.

Full 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.

Enrollment: 3 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

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.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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3 participants in 1 patient group

Experimental: Wisdom Enhancement Timeline Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

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.

Treatment:

Other: Timeline Intervention