ASSESSING THE BENEFIT, ACCEPTABILITY AND FEASIBILITY OF A STROKE-SPECIFIC PSYCHOLOGICAL SELF-MANAGEMENT INTERVENTION, HEADS:UP

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Mood disorder is a significant problem following stroke, affecting survivors (approximately 33%) up to 5 years post-stroke. Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) group-based courses are effective in helping people self-manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. In earlier co-creation work we developed HEADS UP (Helping Ease Anxiety and Depression after Stroke), a 9-week stroke-specific MBSR course designed to mitigate effects of stroke which make mastery of MBSR skills challenging. Methods: In two non-randomised mixed-methods feasibility studies we further adapted HEADS UP face-to-face (study 1);online, in response to COVID-19 restrictions (study 2). We used community networks and social media to recruit stroke survivors (SS) with self-reported anxiety and depression. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected pre-/ post-intervention. Both studies received ethical approval. Results: We enrolled 21 community-dwelling participants. Study 1 13 SS (female n=4, 30.8%;mean age 63.3 years). Study 2 9 SS (female n=5, 55.6%;mean age 54.2 years). Qualitative data informed changes to research processes and HEADS UP course materials. Participants found the course accessible and beneficial, “It's helped dramatically;I can't explain how much.” Conclusions: Stroke survivors found a stroke-specific psychological self-management intervention, HEADS UP (face-to-face, online) acceptable, feasible and beneficial. (Table Presented).