Study Update

Family Centered Stroke Study Update
October 2005

The Family Centered Stroke Study is nearing the final stage of data collection. In the study, couples have a choice of two different interventions. The first intervention, referred to as the 8 week program, involves couples participating together in both a counselling support group and group physiotherapy/exercise therapy. They attend for two days a week over an 8 week period. The second intervention, offered to couples, is 5-10 couple counselling sessions.

In total, 24 couples or 48 individuals have participated in this study. During this next month the final 8 month follow-up measures will be completed and analysis will begin on the effectiveness of the 8 week program. We successfully reached our goal of enrolling 17 couples in this program and continue to offer them on going support as required.

In the couple counselling only study, 7 couples have participated to date. Our goal is to enroll 3 more couples for a total of 10 couples. In this part of the study, couples receive 5-10 sessions from a registered marital therapist. As with all parts of this study, if required, communication support from a speech language therapist is provided during the counselling sessions. This communication support allows individuals with aphasia or other communication difficulties the opportunity to decrease stress and strengthen their marital relationship. For more information contact Karen at 567-1119.

Feedback from participants has been very positive. In the eight week program all couples completed the full course of treatment, attending two times a week for 4 hours each day. We have received comments such as:
  • “If it is possible after 50 years of marriage, we feel closer now than ever.”
  • “This is the first time we have really participated in anything together since the stroke and it is so important. Respite is no longer an issue now because we enjoy spending time together.”
A couple who had just completed the couple counselling only study commented:
  • “It was not the heavy physical care that was distressing and wearing me down. It was feeling disconnected and unappreciated that was making me feel that I could not continue in the care giving role. Now we are back on track as a couple and placement outside the home is not on the radar.”

Presentations
Therapists involved in the study have presented at a variety of conferences:
  • April, 2005 – The team presented at the 26th Annual Meeting of the Inter-Urban Stroke Academic Association in Toronto
  • April, 2005 – A presentation of the treatment approach was made to social work and psychologists at the Bloorview MacMillian Children’s Centre in Toronto
  • June, 2005 – A presentation on communication strategies developed during the study was made at the Recreation Therapy Conference in North Bay
  • June, 2005 – A presentation was made at the Ontario Association of Social Workers Conference outlining the treatment approach and theoretical base for the study
  • September, 2005 – A presentation was made to the Ottawa Social Work Advisory for Gerontology (SWAG)

New Program
We are excited to be able to announce that the first replication of the study is now underway in another community setting. In partnership with the Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and with support from the Stroke Strategy Working Group, funding was received to establish a satellite program. The goal of this program is to serve residents living in the western and rural area of Ottawa. Two programs are now underway. One program is offered on Wednesday afternoon and currently has 9 participants, including 3 family members. For the first time we have offered an evening program to accommodate spouses who are working during the day. This program is on Wednesdays from 4:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Presently, it is at full capacity with 4 couples participating for an 8 week period. If further funding is forthcoming we hope to continue to offer programming in this location in the New Year.

As study results become available more presentations will be made to share our results with the public. Of course publication of results will be a priority. We are most appreciative of all the people who participated in the study and to the coalition members responsible for initiating this study and their ongoing support. For these very special people we will extend an invitation to attend the first presentation of results sometime in the first half of 2006.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE STUDY PLEASE CONTACT 567-1119