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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06451965

SCED - Wisdom Enhancement for Post-Stroke Depression

One-third of stroke survivors experience post-stroke depression, but there are currently no official guidelines for supporting them. Researchers aim to investigate whether the wisdom enhancement timeline technique can reduce depression in stroke survivors. The investigators also want to understand how this technique positively impacts mood, identity, self-esteem, and wisdom. The study will involve nine stroke survivors from the National Health Service (NHS) to gain insights into effective ways to support those with post-stroke depression.

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Key information

Conditions

Post-stroke Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Depression Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

University of East Anglia

Norwich, NR4 7TJ, United Kingdom

About this study

One-third of stroke survivors have post-stroke depression. Finding ways to help them feel more positive after such a challenging event can be tricky. Right now, there are no official guidelines on the best way to support post-stroke depression, and research into this is still growing. That is why the investigators want to see if the wisdom enhancement timeline can improve the mood and overall well-being of people who have had a stroke.

In this study, the investigators have two goals. First, the investigators want to see if the wisdom enhancement timeline technique can reduce depression in stroke survivors. Second, the investigators aim to discover how this technique brings positive mood changes.

The main question the investigators want to answer

  • Does enhancing wisdom through the timeline technique improve psychological outcomes (mood, identity, self-esteem) in post-stroke depressed individuals?
  • In post-stroke depressed individuals, is the improvement in wisdom the first indicator of subsequent improvements in identity, self-esteem, and mood?

It is hypothesised that wisdom will improve first following the session where wisdom is applied. This will then be followed by either identity or self-esteem, with mood improving last.

To carry out this study, the investigators will work with three stroke survivors receiving care from the National Health Service (NHS). By focusing on this smaller group, the investigators hope to gain insights into the effectiveness of the technique in reducing depression and enhancing the lives of stroke survivors. This study is essential as it could help the investigators understand the best way to support those with post-stroke depression.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Had a stroke.
  • Those who self-report as having difficulties with depression to a clinician.
  • Have sufficient cognitive and communication abilities for informed consent and active engagement

Exclusion criteria

  • Under the age of 18. Because this is the age when they are treated as an adult by UK law.
  • Severe cognitive impairments or mental health difficulties that would hinder task engagement or provide informed consent.
  • Medical instability jeopardising consistent participation or well-being.
  • Significant risk concerns regarding safety to themselves or others.
  • Substance use/dependency impacting adherence.
  • Prescribed psychotropic medication less than 3 months ago.
  • Currently involved in research.

Treatment and study plan

Timeline Intervention

Other

The proposed intervention consists of six sessions. In Session One, the focus is on building rapport, assessing individual difficulties, setting client-focused goals, and introducing the timeline. Participants complete timeline examples during the session and as homework.

In Session Two, psychoeducation is provided regarding the impact of stroke, addressing changes in identity and associated feelings of grievance.

Session Three onwards introduces active change methods, encouraging reflection on complex life events. The aim is to promote resilience, meaning, self-compassion, and self-acceptance by exploring past coping strategies and finding significance in events of regret. This framework aims to enhance research on complex interventions, considering efficacy, effectiveness, theory-based approaches, and systems perspectives.

Primary outcomes

  1. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) - Mood

    Time frame: Daily during baseline phase and intervention phase (total of 8-10 weeks depending on baseline length)

    A single-item Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess mood, rated daily on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates "worst possible mood" and 10 indicates "best possible mood." Three participants recorded their rating once each day throughout the trial.

  2. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) - Identity

    Time frame: Daily during baseline phase and intervention phase (total of 8-10 weeks depending on baseline length)

    A single-item Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess identity, rated daily on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates "a disconnect from who they are" and 10 indicates "complete connection." Three participants recorded their rating once each day throughout the baseline and intervention phases.

  3. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) - Wisdom

    Time frame: Daily during baseline phase and intervention phase (total of 8-10 weeks depending on baseline length)

    A single-item Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess Wisdom, rated daily on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates "low wisdom" and 10 indicates "high wisdom." Participants recorded their rating once each day throughout the baseline and intervention phases.

  4. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) - Self-esteem

    Time frame: Daily during baseline phase and intervention phase (total of 8-10 weeks depending on baseline length)

    A single-item Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess self-esteem, rated daily on a 0-10 scale, where 0 indicates "low self-esteem" and 10 indicates "high self-esteem." Participants recorded their rating once each day throughout the baseline and intervention phases.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)

    Time frame: Baseline to end of 6-week intervention phase

    The PHQ-9 is a 9-item self-report measure assessing the severity of depressive symptoms over the past two weeks. Each item is scored from 0 ("not at all") to 3 ("nearly every day"), producing a total score between 0 and 27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of East Anglia

Other

Registry information

Official study title

A Single Case Experiment Design Investigating Wisdom Enhancement to Augment CBT Outcomes for Depression in Post-Stroke Populations

Acronym: WE-PSD

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Jun 11, 2024
Registry last updated
Sep 30, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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