Stress Reduction Interventions in Vestibular Conditions (StRIVe) v1.9
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Stress Reduction Interventions in Vestibular Conditions (StRIVe): What is the need, the readiness and the preferred method of delivery?
IRAS ID
367937
Contact name
Harriet Withey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital Southampton Nhs Ft
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
GRT 1244, Grant Number
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 5 months, 1 days
Research summary
Research shows that stress and balance problems are closely interlinked; that stress may worsen balance symptoms, and that having a balance problem causes additional stress. Further, studies show that stress may prevent full recovery from a balance problem. Reducing stress has been suggested as one way to help people manage their balance difficulties more effectively and studies show that some small groups of balance patients found intervention to be acceptable and helpful. However, we do not yet know how common stress is among patients attending NHS vestibular (balance) clinics, nor whether these patients want to receive stress‑management support as part of their care.
50 patients attending an NHS vestibular assessment or review appointment at the University Hospital Southampton clinic will be invited to take part on the day of their planned appointment. They will complete a questionnaire about their current stress levels, how much stress affects their daily life, and whether they believe stress influences their balance symptoms. The questionnaire will also explore whether patients consider stress‑management advice acceptable and relevant. It will assess how ready people feel to make changes and what types of support they would prefer. Understanding these preferences is essential for designing services that are both patient‑centred and cost‑effective.
A mixed‑methods approach will be used, combining numerical data with written comments from participants. This will allow the researchers to identify overall trends while also gaining insight into individual experiences. The study questionnaire will combine validated questionnaires (like the Perceived Stress Scale - PSS‑10; which measures how stressed a person feels) with questions adapted from established theories. Researchers will then analyse all questions to answer the planned objectives above. This study is funded by the British Society of Audiology.
REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
26/WA/0059
Date of REC Opinion
17 Mar 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion