Developing a Novel Cognitive-Behavioral Intervention for Psychosocial Rehabilitation in Chronic Stroke
Stroke is a neurological injury that adversely impacts psychosocial functioning and quality of life. This may occur due to direct insult to the brain circuits integral to adaptive psychosocial functioning, and/or indirectly via significant disruption to routine motor, sensory and cognitive performance. Yet, few evidence-based interventions exist for addressing the broad disruption to emotional and interpersonal functioning specific to stroke, highlighting a clear unmet need. The investigators propose that 1) identifying the most significant disruptions and 2) developing a cognitive-behavioral intervention to promote psychosocial functioning post-stroke is particularly important for overall quality of life, but additionally for adherence to physical rehabilitation and related interventions intended to promote holistic recovery.
• 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.