Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)

Abstract Background There is a growing evidence base to support the use of self-management interventions for improving quality of life after stroke. However, stroke survivors with aphasia have been underrepresented in research to date. It is therefore unclear if self-management is an appropriate or...

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Main Authors: Faye Wray, Madeline Cruice, Ian Kellar, Anne Forster
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:Pilot and Feasibility Studies
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01589-y
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author Faye Wray
Madeline Cruice
Ian Kellar
Anne Forster
author_facet Faye Wray
Madeline Cruice
Ian Kellar
Anne Forster
author_sort Faye Wray
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background There is a growing evidence base to support the use of self-management interventions for improving quality of life after stroke. However, stroke survivors with aphasia have been underrepresented in research to date. It is therefore unclear if self-management is an appropriate or effective approach for this group. To address this gap in the evidence base, we have developed a supported self-management intervention (the ‘Living with Aphasia’ intervention) specifically for stroke survivors with aphasia in the first year after stroke. The StarStep study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the intervention (including the feasibility of participant recruitment, the feasibility of delivering facilitator training, the acceptability of the intervention, the fidelity of intervention delivery and outcome data completeness). Methods StarStep is a mixed-methods, non-randomised feasibility study. The Living with Aphasia intervention will be facilitated by speech and language therapists and implemented in two community stroke teams in the north of England. We aim to recruit 30 stroke survivors who have aphasia (and/or their family members) and who are ≤ 12-month post-stroke to participate in data collection for the study. Following informed consent, participants will complete a baseline data collection questionnaire which will include measures of quality of life, symptoms of depression and perceived communicative effectiveness. Follow-up questionnaires will be completed at 3-month post-intervention. Qualitative data collection will include implementation groups and semi-structured interviews with speech and language therapists, semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors with aphasia (and/or their family members) and observations of the delivery of the intervention. A joint display table will be used to integrate findings from each element of data collection in order to consider overall feasibility. Discussion This study will provide the information necessary to optimise data collection processes and to optimise the implementation and delivery of the self-management intervention. Feasibility data will inform decision-making regarding progression to a future definitive cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, trial registration number: ISRCTN10401966. Date of registration: 07/10/2023. URL of trial registry record: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10401966 .
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spelling doaj-art-e1ffbbfceda34fc3bbe3d4a1e295a5452025-02-02T12:09:18ZengBMCPilot and Feasibility Studies2055-57842025-01-0111111510.1186/s40814-024-01589-yProtocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)Faye Wray0Madeline Cruice1Ian Kellar2Anne Forster3Academic Unit for Ageing and Stroke Research, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of LeedsSchool of Health and Psychological Sciences, City University of LondonDepartment of Psychology, University of SheffieldAcademic Unit for Ageing and Stroke Research, Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of LeedsAbstract Background There is a growing evidence base to support the use of self-management interventions for improving quality of life after stroke. However, stroke survivors with aphasia have been underrepresented in research to date. It is therefore unclear if self-management is an appropriate or effective approach for this group. To address this gap in the evidence base, we have developed a supported self-management intervention (the ‘Living with Aphasia’ intervention) specifically for stroke survivors with aphasia in the first year after stroke. The StarStep study aims to assess the feasibility of implementing and evaluating the intervention (including the feasibility of participant recruitment, the feasibility of delivering facilitator training, the acceptability of the intervention, the fidelity of intervention delivery and outcome data completeness). Methods StarStep is a mixed-methods, non-randomised feasibility study. The Living with Aphasia intervention will be facilitated by speech and language therapists and implemented in two community stroke teams in the north of England. We aim to recruit 30 stroke survivors who have aphasia (and/or their family members) and who are ≤ 12-month post-stroke to participate in data collection for the study. Following informed consent, participants will complete a baseline data collection questionnaire which will include measures of quality of life, symptoms of depression and perceived communicative effectiveness. Follow-up questionnaires will be completed at 3-month post-intervention. Qualitative data collection will include implementation groups and semi-structured interviews with speech and language therapists, semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors with aphasia (and/or their family members) and observations of the delivery of the intervention. A joint display table will be used to integrate findings from each element of data collection in order to consider overall feasibility. Discussion This study will provide the information necessary to optimise data collection processes and to optimise the implementation and delivery of the self-management intervention. Feasibility data will inform decision-making regarding progression to a future definitive cluster randomised controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention. Trial registration ISRCTN registry, trial registration number: ISRCTN10401966. Date of registration: 07/10/2023. URL of trial registry record: https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN10401966 .https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01589-yStrokeAphasiaSelf-managementFeasibilityQualitativeQuality of life
spellingShingle Faye Wray
Madeline Cruice
Ian Kellar
Anne Forster
Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
Pilot and Feasibility Studies
Stroke
Aphasia
Self-management
Feasibility
Qualitative
Quality of life
title Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
title_full Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
title_fullStr Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
title_full_unstemmed Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
title_short Protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self-management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia (StarStep study)
title_sort protocol for a feasibility study evaluating a supported self management intervention for stroke survivors with aphasia starstep study
topic Stroke
Aphasia
Self-management
Feasibility
Qualitative
Quality of life
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-024-01589-y
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