The StrokeCog study: development and description of a cognition-focused psychological intervention to address cognitive impairment following stroke

Abstract

Objective

To describe the process of developing a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and to describe the intervention prior to evaluation in a pilot randomised controlled trial (RCT). Method: The Medical Research Council framework, ‘Developing and evaluating complex interventions’, was used to develop the cognitive rehabilitation intervention. We conducted a combined analysis of the existing evidence base for PSCI rehabilitation alongside qualitative exploration of the perspectives of stroke survivors, their families, and healthcare professionals providing stroke care, on the necessary components for a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for PSCI. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist was used as a structural framework for the description of the intervention. Results: The intervention comprises a five-week intervention integrating group-based activities, supported by a clinical neuropsychologist, with home-based activities to encourage self-efficacy through the practice of adjustment and compensatory strategies learned in the group format to achieve the patients’ identified goals in managing their PSCI. Conclusion: A cognitive rehabilitation intervention for patients with PSCI has been developed and described. We are in the process of developing a structured intervention manual to standardise the content and delivery of the intervention for further testing in a pilot RCT.

Keywords:

• Cognition
• complex intervention
• rehabilitation
• stroke
• TIDieR framework

Disclosure statement

No potential conflicts of interest were reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

Funding

This study is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) of Ireland under Grant No. ICE-2015-1048, and is being completed as part of the StrokeCog Study, a project that aims to model and modify the consequences of stroke-related cognitive impairment through intervention. KB funded by HRB (RL-15-1579).