Development of the 'Brain Fit' App
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of an app version of the ‘The Healthy Brain Rehabilitation Manual’ – adapting home-based cardiac rehabilitation for use in the TIA and stroke population
IRAS ID
265410
Contact name
Neil Heron
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen's University Belfast
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 1 months, 31 days
Research summary
Introduction: ‘The Healthy Brain Rehabilitation Manual’ used with a pedometer is a home-based rehabilitation programme for TIA and ‘minor’ stroke patients and has been developed utilising core principles of cardiac rehabilitation and following Medical Research Council(MRC) guidelines for developing complex health service interventions. We now wish to develop an electronic app version of this manual (‘Brain Fit’) and pilot its use in service users.
Aim: We aim to develop the ‘Brain Fit’ app and undertake a 12-week pilot study of this novel tool, compared to standard care, in managing cardiovascular risk factors for people who experience a TIA or ‘minor’ stroke. We also aim to explore, using focus groups and semi-structured interviews, the perceptions of patients and health professionals regarding the acceptability, relevance and value of the ‘app’ to allow further refinement of the intervention.
Methods: Utilising appropriate expertise from ‘app’ designers we wish to pilot this new intervention with a pedometer in 15 TIA and ‘minor’ stroke patients over 6 weeks with 15 patients in a ‘control’ arm (n=30), with qualitative review of the intervention at the end of the pilot study, leading to further intervention refinement.
Anticipated value of results: By the end of this study, the ‘Brain Fit’ app will be developed with appropriate service user involvement, to be then taken into a randomised controlled trial assessing its effectiveness in managing cardiovascular risk factors post-TIA/’minor’ stroke. Service users have previously identified the need for an electronic version of the manual, which has the potential to reduce stroke risk and manage cardiovascular risk factors post-TIA/’minor’ stroke.REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/SW/0213
Date of REC Opinion
19 Dec 2019
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion