A longer-term care strategy for stroke – a feasibility study
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN38920246 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN38920246 |
| Secondary identifying numbers | 30510 |
- Submission date
- 18/05/2016
- Registration date
- 22/06/2016
- Last edited
- 17/03/2023
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Circulatory System
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
A stroke is a serious condition where the blood supply to a part of the brain is cut off, usually by a blood clot blocking an artery (ischaemic stroke) or a bleed (haemorrhagic stroke). A large proportion of stroke victims suffer from long-term complications depending on the area of the brain that is affected, which can affect their ability to move, speak or even their cognitive function (memory loss, difficulty reasoning and confusion). This requires extensive care both in the short and long term. The early stages of the stroke care pathway are becoming more prescribed (treatment in acute and rehabilitation stroke units), but despite policy recommendations, strategies for longer-term care are not developed and stroke survivors and their families face a number of problems and challenges. This is looking at a new system (New Start) for longer-term stroke care which has been developed to help improve the mental and physical wellbeing of patients (and their carers) living at home following a stroke. The aim of this study is to find out whether undertaking a large-scale study investigating the effectiveness of this tool is feasible.
Who can participate?
Stroke services located in participating hospitals in the UK; stroke survivors who had a stroke four to six months ago who live at home and their carers.
What does the study involve?
Participating sites are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group receive standard care as provided by their treating clinician. Those in the second group take part in the New Start program, a strategy based upon analyses of the needs of stroke survivors and what helped and hindered them to address these needs. It involves taking part in an initial face-to-face meeting with a trained facilitator to identify any unmet needs and then to work to address these needs over later sessions. At the meeting, these issues and needs are discussed and a supported self-management approach is introduced with the aim of addressing needs through individualised problem-solving. The process involves facilitated action-planning, goal-setting, and review, all of which are supported by a flexible document – the New Start Guide. Stroke survivors can have as many meetings with the facilitators as required, but it is thought that most need at least three visits and support may also be provided via the internet, phone or email. Participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaires at the start of the study and then after three, six and 12 months about their mental and physical wellbeing. The acceptability of the program is then measured through interviews and specially designed questionnaires, and the number of participants who complete the follow up questionnaires is recorded.
Added 05/07/2017: A detailed Process Evaluation will also be conducted to understand the functioning of the intervention, examining its implementation, mechanisms of impact, and contextual factors.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no known benefits or risks involved with participating in this study.
Where is the study run from?
Edgeware Community Hospital and nine other NHS hospitals in England and Wales (UK)
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
June 2016 and September 2018
Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Professor Anne Forster, Chief Investigator
a.forster@leeds.ac.uk
Contact information
Public
Clinical Trials Research Unit
Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research
University of Leeds
Leeds
LS2 9JT
United Kingdom
| Phone | +44 (0)113 343 0504 |
|---|---|
| lots2care@leeds.ac.uk |
Study information
| Study design | Randomised; Interventional; Design type: Treatment, Education or Self-Management, Complex Intervention |
|---|---|
| Primary study design | Interventional |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Study setting(s) | Hospital |
| Study type | Treatment |
| Participant information sheet | Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet |
| Scientific title | A longer-term care strategy to support stroke survivors and their carers (LoTS2Care) – a feasibility study |
| Study acronym | LoTS2Care |
| Study objectives | The aim of this study is to undertake a feasibility cluster randomised controlled trial (cRCT) of a purposely developed intervention ‘New Start' to inform a future definitive cRCT to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the New Start intervention for stroke survivors. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Feasibility Trial: Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee, 26/04/2016, ref: 16/YH/0068 Added 05/07/2017: Process Evaluation: Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds West Research Ethics Committee, 23/09/2016, ref: 16/YH/0390 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Specialty: Stroke, Primary sub-specialty: Rehabilitation; UKCRC code/ Disease: Stroke/ Cerebrovascular diseases |
| Intervention | Participating sites will be randomised on a 1:1 basis to one of two study arms Control arm: Participants receive standard care as provided by their treating clinician. Intervention arm: Participants receive an initial face-to-face meeting with a trained facilitator approximately six months after stroke that seeks to help stroke survivors identify any unmet needs they may have and then work with them to address these needs. A priming tool/pamphlet, which also details the date and time of the meeting, is sent out in advance. This tool highlights some of the issues which may be covered, and prompts the survivor to note down which, if any, may be relevant to them. At the meeting, these issues and needs are discussed and a supported self-management approach is introduced with the aim of addressing needs through individualised problem-solving. The process involves facilitated action-planning, goal-setting, and review, all of which are supported by a flexible document – the New Start Guide. The intervention directly identifies and addresses unmet needs, and seeks to enhance participation by providing usable information and assisting the participant to build and sustain a flexible support network. Stroke survivors can have as many meetings with the facilitators as required, it is anticipated that most stroke survivors will have at least three visits and support may also be provided via the internet, phone or email. Trial participants will be followed up using postal questionnaires at 3, 6 and 9 months. |
| Intervention type | Other |
| Primary outcome measure | 1. Acceptability of recruitment methods for sites is determined using site feasibility questionnaires and face to face/telephone discussions with site teams collected prior to trial opening 2. Acceptability of recruitment methods for participants is measured using screening data and face to face/telephone discussions with site teams throughout the recruitment period 3. Acceptability of implementation and delivery of the intervention is measured by collecting training records, collecting data on competency assessment, treatment records and data collected as part of a detailed process evaluation throughout the training recruitment and follow up period 4. Acceptability of collecting questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months is determined through number of patients who completed the questionnaires at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months 5. Routinely offered services (usual care) is defined through feasibility questionnaires and face to face/telephone discussions with site teams, collected throughout the trial 6. Safety is measured by collecting adverse events continuously throughout the trial 7. Health economics analysis is conducted using the health economics resource use questionnaire, the EQ5D and the ICECAP-A at baseline, 3, 6 and 9 months |
| Secondary outcome measures | No secondary outcome measures |
| Overall study start date | 01/06/2016 |
| Completion date | 28/07/2018 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Mixed |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Sex | Both |
| Target number of participants | 269; UK Sample Size: 269 |
| Total final enrolment | 269 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 05/07/2017: Stroke Service Inclusion Criteria: 1. Encompasses primary and secondary care over a defined geographical area within the United Kingdom (UK) 2. Includes a stroke unit which fulfils the RCP guidelines definition of a stroke unit 3. Agree to try and establish a robust mechanism to identify all stroke survivors at four to six months post stroke. 4. Have the facilities and capacity to deliver the New Start intervention 5. Fully supportive of time required for New Start training, including two face to face away days and online training 6. Agreement to be involved via signed model Non-Commercial Agreement (mNCA) and local management approval Stroke survivor inclusion criteria: 1. At least four months and not more than six months since confirmed primary diagnosis of new stroke 2. Are residing in the community (i.e. not in a nursing or residential care home 3. Provide informed consent or consultee assent Carer inclusion criteria (participation optional): 1. Identified by the stroke survivor, as the main informal caregiver who provides the stroke survivor with support a minimum of once per week 2. Provided informed consent (i.e. implied via return of completed baseline questionnaire) Previous inclusion criteria: Stroke Service Inclusion Criteria: 1. Encompasses primary and secondary care over a defined geographical area within the United Kingdom (UK) 2. Includes a stroke unit which fulfils the RCP guidelines definition of a stroke unit 3. Agree to try and establish a robust mechanism to identify all stroke survivors at four to seven months post stroke. 4. Have the facilities and capacity to deliver the Moving Forward intervention 5. Fully supportive of time required for Moving Forward training, including two face to face away days and online training 6. Agreement to be involved via signed model Non-Commercial Agreement (mNCA) and local management approval Stroke survivor inclusion criteria: 1. At least four months and not more than seven months since confirmed primary diagnosis of new stroke 2. Are residing in the community (i.e. not in a nursing or residential care home 3. Provide written informed consent or consultee assent Carer inclusion criteria (participation optional): 1. Identified by the stroke survivor, as the main informal caregiver who provides the stroke survivor with support a minimum of once per week 2. Provided informed consent (i.e. implied via return of completed baseline questionnaire) |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria: Stroke services exclusion criteria: 1. Previously participated in the development of the intervention; as part of this programme of research or are intending to implement the New Start intervention within the proposed duration of the study will not be eligible because these sites might be expected to have enhanced skills or knowledge about the New Start intervention 2. Stroke services that are currently delivering or planning to deliver a similar supported self-management intervention Stroke survivors exclusion criteria: It is unknown whether the Moving Forward intervention can be delivered to Stroke Survivors with other (specific) co-morbidities. Therefore, no exclusion criteria will be applied and reasons for not receiving care at 6 months post-stroke will be documented and used to inform eligibility criteria for a definitive trial. Carer exclusion criteria: Their stroke survivor does not consent for carer involvement. Previous exclusion criteria: Stroke services exclusion criteria: 1. Previously participated in the development of the intervention; as part of this programme of research or are intending to implement the Moving Forward intervention within the proposed duration of the study will not be eligible because these sites might be expected to have enhanced skills or knowledge about the Moving Forward intervention 2. Stroke services that are currently delivering or planning to deliver a similar supported self-management intervention Stroke survivors exclusion criteria: 1. Main requirement is palliative care 2. Have concurrent major illness which is likely to predominately determine care (e.g. in receipt of consistent medical input from a specialist other than stroke/neurologist) 3. Stroke survivors not resident within the geographical area covered by the stroke service Carer exclusion criteria: Their stroke survivor does not consent for carer involvement. |
| Date of first enrolment | 26/01/2017 |
| Date of final enrolment | 05/01/2018 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- England
- United Kingdom
- Wales
Study participating centres
Edgware
HA8 0AD
United Kingdom
Norwich
NR2 3TU
United Kingdom
Gloucester
GL1 3NN
United Kingdom
Gloucestershire Care Services NHS Trust
Gloucester
GL3 4AW
United Kingdom
Brynawel Road
Gorseinon
Swansea
SA4 4UU
United Kingdom
Wolverhampton
WV10 0QP
United Kingdom
Thorne Road
Yorkshire
Doncaster
DN2 5LT
United Kingdom
Bernard Way
Somerset
South Petherton
TA13 5EF
United Kingdom
Caradoc Road
Aberystwyth
SY23 1ER
United Kingdom
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Hardwick Road
Hardwick
Stockton-on-Tees
TS19 8PE
United Kingdom
Kayll Road
Sunderland
SR4 7TP
United Kingdom
West Golds Road
Devon
Newton Abbot
TQ12 2TS
United Kingdom
Sponsor information
Hospital/treatment centre
Research Management & Support Office
Bradford Institute for Health Research
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
England
United Kingdom
"ROR" |
https://ror.org/05gekvn04 |
|---|
Funders
Funder type
Government
Government organisation / National government
- Alternative name(s)
- National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
- Location
- United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Intention to publish date | 20/11/2020 |
|---|---|
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| Publication and dissemination plan | 1. Presentation of results at the UK Stroke Forum, at the Yorkshire Consumer Conference and at the annual conference of the Association of Directors of Social Services (ADSS) 2. All research participants will be made aware that results will be posted on the Programme website |
| IPD sharing plan | The data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date. |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protocol article | protocol | 11/06/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Protocol article | protocol for the process evaluation | 11/07/2018 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | 01/03/2021 | 21/04/2021 | Yes | No | |
| Results article | feasibility and acceptability outcomes | 15/03/2023 | 17/03/2023 | Yes | No |
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No | ||
| HRA research summary | 28/06/2023 | No | No |
Editorial Notes
17/03/2023: Publication reference added.
21/04/2021: Publication reference added.
20/05/2020: The intention to publish date was changed from 30/09/2019 to 20/11/2020.
30/07/2019: The total final enrolment was added.
13/07/2018: Publication reference added.
02/07/2018: Publication reference added.
14/02/2018: The following changes were made:
1. Recruitment end date was changed from 30/11/2017 to 05/01/2018.
2. Overall trial end date was changed from 30/09/2018 to 28/07/2018.
3. Target number of participants was changed from 200 to 269.
01/11/2017: The recruitment end date has been updated from 30/06/2017 to 30/11/2017. The participant level data sharing statement has been added.
06/07/2017: Overall trial start date was entered incorrectly and has been updated from 01/02/2015 to 01/06/2016. The study intervention has been renamed from 'Moving Forward' to 'New Start' and the record has been updated accordingly. Ms Lorna Barnard (l.j.barnard@leeds.ac.uk) has been removed as the study contact and Professor Anne Forster has been added (lots2care@leeds.ac.uk). Recruitment dates have been updated from 15/09/2016 - 15/05/2017 to 26/01/2017 - 30/06/2017. St. George's Hospital, Singleton Hospital, Morriston Hospital and Sandwell General Hospital have been removed as trial participating sites. The following have been added: Stroke Early Supported Discharge Team, Gorseinon Hospital, West Park Hospital, Doncaster Royal Infirmary, South Petherton Community Hospital, Bronglais General Hospital, Darlington Memorial Hospital, University Hospital of North Tees, Sunderland Royal Hospital, Newton Abbot Hospital. Inclusion and exclusion criteria have been updated.
29/06/2016: Internal review.
