Internet Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Persons with Stroke: Developmental Phase

Research Objectives: To identify gaps in the content of an existing ICBT program to meet the needs of those with stroke; to identify features of the online program and how it can be integrated into patient care; and to identify needs, potential facilitators and barriers that can influence implementation and use of the program.

Design: A Patient-Oriented Research Committee of 8 individuals, including clinicians, patients, and a caregiver was developed to adapt and tailor an existing internet-delivered cognitive behavior therapy (ICBT) course to meet the needs of individuals who have had a stroke. The panel members attended three 1-hour virtual meetings to identify gaps in the needs of stroke patients and provide feedback on the content. Meetings were transcribed verbatim and analyzed to generate a list of gaps in the current ICBT content for post-stroke patients.

Setting: General community.

Participants: Clinicians, patients, and a stroke caregiver.

Interventions: No intervention.

Main Outcome Measures: Feedback regarding an existing ICBT program to be updated tailored to target the specific needs of those post-stroke.

Results: The committee identified the following suggestions to tailor the program towards those post-stroke: 1) development of case vignettes aligned with experiences of those post-stroke; 2) incorporation of memory and planning aids; 3) avoid use of triggering language (e.g., “disability”; 4) visually adapting materials to aid readability and comprehension; 5) presenting materials in multiple formats (e.g., written, audio, visual); 6) normalizing lapses and lapse prevention plans.

Conclusions: Online programs tailored for those post-stroke may optimize management of psychosocial outcomes by overcoming barriers to treatment. Based on the feedback we received, new case vignettes have been added that have been tailored to align with experiences of those post-stroke and the new material has been sent to the committee for further feedback. Results from the current study will lead to the integration of ICBT programs into post-stroke treatment protocol.

Author(s) Disclosures: No author disclosures.