Cognitive Strategies for Optimizing Brain Health And Managing Transgenerational Vascular Risk Factors Post-Stroke

CHAMPS for Transgenerational Risk (TR) (Cognitive strategies for optimizing brain Health And Managing transgenerational vascular risk factors Post-Stroke), a feasibility trial for preventing stroke and improving cognitive outcomes in persons with stroke and their families. Stroke is used as a vector to identify both persons with post-stroke cognitive impairment and dementia (PSCID)and a targeted family member who may be at risk and could benefit from vascular risk reduction intervention. The investigators integrate the concept of a "teachable moment" where health events can lead to behavior change by targeting family members who are stroke-free but may have vascular risk factors putting them at risk for stroke and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) in the future. Recognizing that people with stroke frequently encounter barriers to community mobility, the proposed trial will be offered virtually to give even those with difficulty accessing the community an equitable opportunity to participate in clinical research.

In this feasibility trial, the investigators will pilot test the CHAMPS-TR intervention which includes vascular risk reduction coaching and a metacognitive problem-solving protocol which contains guided discovery, goal setting, and strategy training. Index persons with stroke and targeted family members (i.e., biological child, younger sibling) who may be at heightened risk for stroke and VCI will receive the CHAMPS intervention which will be delivered remotely. Participants will be split into two arms and either receive the virtual CHAMPS-TR intervention or CHAMPS-TR intervention plus remotely-supervised transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (RS-tDCS) based on eligibility and preference. tDCS is a minimally invasive brain stimulation technique that may augment the effects of cognitive interventions alone. It has strong evidence in stroke rehabilitation and RS-tDCS is a feasible approach in those with stroke and other clinical populations. The overarching goal of this project is to rigorously test the custom-tailored intervention for families impacted by ischemic stroke.

Inclusion criteria

• primary diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke,
• impairment of cognitive function (score >1 on Quick Executive Interview - telephone screener),
• absence of severe aphasia (score of 0 or 1 on NIH Stroke Scale),
• absence of pre-stroke dementia (client report),
• absence of major anxiety and depressive disorder (PHQ-9, GAD-7),
• absence of drug and alcohol misuse within 3 months of study (AUDIT, DAST),
• greater than 40 years of age,
• having a potential family member who meets targeted family member criteria,
• eligible for MRI and Remote Supervised-transcranial direct current stimulation (RS-tDCS) if in CHAMPS-TR plus RS-tDCS (e.g., not pregnant; no intracranial metal implants; no skin lesions on target sites for stimulation; no severe cardiopulmonary, renal or hepatic diseases; no pacemakers; no underlying medical reason for not engaging in MRI or tDCS).

The targeted family member will be:

• a minimum of 18 years of age,
• biological kin of person with stroke,
• absence of dementia (client report),
• absence of major anxiety and depressive disorder (PHQ-9, GAD-7),
• absence of drug and alcohol misuse within 3 months of study (AUDIT, DAST),
• greater than 18 years of age, and
• having a sibling or parent who had an ischemic stroke

Exclusion criteria

For all participants:

• not English speaking, reading, and understanding, and
• no access to video-conference software on a computer or smart device