Self-management EdUcation and SuPport to Promote PsychOsocial Health Among StRoke Survivors and Informal Caregivers in a VirTual Stroke Community (SUPPORT) (SUPPORT)

Self-management EdUcation and SuPport to Promote PsychOsocial Health Among StRoke Survivors and Informal Caregivers in a VirTual Stroke Community (SUPPORT)

Self-management EdUcation and SuPport to Promote PsychOsocial Health Among StRoke Survivors and Informal Caregivers in a VirTual Stroke Community (SUPPORT): A Pilot Project

The purpose of this study is to create a virtual stroke community for stroke survivors and informal caregivers of stroke survivors by customizing an existing VE intervention to incorporate real-time, stroke-specific, psychosocial self management education (SME) and social interactions, to test feasibility, acceptability, and usability of the customized intervention for stroke survivors and informal caregivers of stroke survivors and to obtain and explore data to derive evidence-based hypotheses and properly design and conduct a future, larger trial to demonstrate treatment efficacy.

Phase 1 of the study will be a one-time meeting, either remote or in-person to complete V.E. training and fill out questionnaires. Phase 2 of the study is the 8 week intervention implementation.Participants will access the V.E. community from their homes on a computer with broadband internet. During the first four weeks of the intervention, participants will be required to come into the V.E. at least once per week for at least one hour. For the last four weeks, V.E. participation is strongly encouraged, but not required. The content in the V.E. will focus on psychosocial health and stroke recovery, and the messaging in the VE will be updated bi-weekly to encourage retention and engagement. Group meetings led by the study PI, a psychologist, or another trained member of the research team at least once a week will be offered. During the intervention period, VE-specific data will be collected continuously. Phase 3, will include a survey and a focus group interview via online platform.

This has 10 items, each scored form 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree), higher score meaning higher perceived ease of use

Change in perceived social support as assessed by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)

This is a 12 item scale , each question is scored from 1(very strongly disagree) to 7(very strongly agree) for a maximum score of score of 84, a higher number indicating more social support

This is a 9 item questionnaire, each scored from 0(not at all) to 3(nearly every day), a higher number indication g more depression

This is a 7 item questionnaire, each is scored from 0(not at all) to 3(nearly every day) a higher number indicating more anxiety

This is a 20 item questionnaire, each one is scored form 1(never) to 4(always). Scores for questions 1,5,6,9,10,15,16,19 and 20 are reversed(i.e. 1=4,2=3,3=2,4=1)and the scores for each item is then summed together, higher number indicating more loneliness

This is a 22 item questionnaire,each one scored from 0(never)-4(nearly always) higher core indicating more burden

Change in self efficacy ( ability to perform tasks or behaviors) as assessed by the PROMIS General Self-efficacy Form

This is a 10 item questionnaire, each one is scored from 1(not at all true) to 4(exactly true), a higher number indicating a better outcome

This is an 8 item questionnaire, and each is scored form 1(never)-5(always), for a maximum score of 40, a higher number indicating higher levels of emotional support

This is an 8 item questionnaire, and each is scored form 1(never)-5(always), for a maximum score of 40, a higher number indicating higher levels of instrumental support

This is a 6 item questionnaire scored from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree) a higher number indicating a better outcome?

Change in the amount that pain interferes with daily life as assessed by the PROMIS Short Form Pain Interference v 1.0 8a

This is an 8 item questionnaire and each is scored from 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much) a higher number indicating a worse outcome

Inclusion Criteria: Stroke survivors that have experienced an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke event and their caregivers can read, write, and speak English are able to provide written consent are computer literate (have used a computer for ≥1 month) have access to a computer with broadband internet at home understand how to use the Internet (accessed the Internet on ≥2 occasions) Exclusion Criteria: reside outside of the home Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of <9 indicating moderate to severe impairment Caregivers that provide long-distance care. I