A Feasibility Study of a Brief Psychological Intervention for Post-stroke Fatigue

Detailed Summary

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability in the community. Fatigue affects about a third of stroke survivors. It results in difficulty taking part in everyday activities, and increases risk of hospitalization and death after stroke. Despite of its high prevalence and distressing consequences, there is no effective treatment. Psychological interventions have improved fatigue in patients with other conditions such as multiple sclerosis. These interventions primarily target patients' beliefs about overcoming fatigue and their physical activities in daily life. Also studies indicated that post-stroke fatigue is associated with mood. Based on this knowledge, the investigator has designed a brief psychological intervention for post-stroke fatigue. The current study is a feasibility study to test the adequacy of intervention manuals and the feasibility of trial processes. This study will need 12 stroke survivors who have post-stroke fatigue and are over three months but within two years after their stroke. Stroke survivors with severe depression or having insufficient capability in cognition or communication will not be included. The investigator will check their eligibility by questionnaires and interviews and then invite eligible people to take part in the study. This intervention will be delivered by a therapist (a clinical psychologist) to each participant through six face-to-face therapy sessions. Each session will be about one hour and be two weeks' apart. During the sessions, participants will discuss with the therapist their fatigue problems, and, with the support from the therapist, work out ways to solve their problems. One month after the last face-to-face session, each participant will receive a feedback session by telephone from the therapist. Each participant will be followed up to three months after the last face-to-face session. After all participants complete their feedback sessions, the investigator will invite them to a group meeting to share their experiences of taking part in this trial and makes suggestions as how their experiences of this intervention, and also of this trial, could be improved.

Study Details

Timeline

Interventions