Positive Mental Training Tool (PosMT) for stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Preliminary Assesment of a Positive Mental Training Tool (PosMT) for patients with post-stroke depression
IRAS ID
141183
Contact name
Nahal Mavaddat
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Cambridge
Research summary
This research is looking at a new way of helping people with stroke deal with low mood, depression and anxiety. It involves use of a guided self-help programme, the ‘Positive Mental Training’ audio, which helps improve negative mood and increases positive outlook. The programme uses relaxation, mindfulness and positive psychology to generate positive feelings, allowing people to overcome negative thinking patterns and become more confident and resilient in the face of life challenges. The programme requires listening to an audio recording on a CD or over the internet for 18 minutes a day for 12 weeks with a different recording to listen to each week (although results may be seen after 4 weeks). Optimism, a positive outlook and being able to relax and handle stress may increase peoples’ ability to cope with the effects of having a stroke and to be more actively involved in their rehabilitation. It may also help speed up rehabilitation through biological pathways which help the body to recover when free of stress. The aim of this research is to see whether the programme is acceptable and holds promise for use in people with stroke who are low in mood or positive outlook. People with stroke and their carers who have previously shown an interest through patient and carer groups will be asked to review the content of the audio programme in this pre-pilot study. Participants do not have to be depressed or anxious. Participants will be asked to listen to the first 4 weeks of the audio programme. Measures will consist of questionnaires at baseline and at follow-up. Qualitative interviews will be undertaken at follow-up. The results from this pre-pilot will inform a pilot for a future RCT where the tool will be tested against standard care, for which funding will be sought.
REC name
London - London Bridge Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/LO/0053
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion