Examining a 'life after stroke' helpsheet for stroke survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Examining the process, feasibility and acceptability of the 'Selection, Optimisation and Compensation (SOC)' helpsheet intervention for stroke survivors
IRAS ID
162803
Contact name
Jennifer Dryden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Strathclyde
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 19 days
Research summary
Stroke survival rates are improving, with a 60% reduction in mortality in Scotland over the past 20 years. It has, therefore, become increasingly important to research ways to help stroke survivors cope with the long-term consequences of stroke. Half of all stroke survivors suffer from one or more impairment and stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide.
Currently, stroke survivors in Scotland have access to rehabilitation services, which often focus on improving function and increasing stroke survivors’ ability to complete certain tasks. Interventions focusing on improving overall adaptation or coping are rare. The behavioural strategies stroke survivors use, for example, to adapt to their new difficulties are rarely examined. Strategies such as problem solving, acceptance and allowing help from others are suggested to be linked to better adjustment.
The Selection, Optimisation and Compensation model (Baltes & Baltes, 1990) may provide an ideal framework to examine how stroke survivors adapt, describing three types of strategies that are suggested to result in improved wellbeing and satisfaction with life. The SOC model has been used to investigate ‘successful aging’ where older adults continue to experience life satisfaction and reach their goals despite a loss of function, such as mobility or cognitive decline. Such a loss in ability is commonly experienced by stroke survivors.A previous study has found that stroke survivors use a number of different strategies to help them adapt to their difficulties. The research team have used these strategies to form a ‘help sheet’, which will allow other stroke survivors to learn about the SOC approach and try out ways of adjusting to life after stroke. This pilot research will examine whether this SOC ‘help sheet’ approach is acceptable to stroke survivors and further examine any behaviour change processes which occur through taking part in the study.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
15/WS/0035
Date of REC Opinion
26 Mar 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion