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Feasibility and acceptability of a tailored support program for informal stroke carers
Melissa Jammal1, Gregory S Kolt2, Karen P Y Liu3
1School of Health Sciences, Western Sydney University, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
Objectives:
This study examined the feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component tailored support program for informal stroke carers and focused on its suitability and relevance to carer needs.
Methods:
The carer support program was co-designed with carers and healthcare professionals. The intervention comprises a core resource booklet, an initial face-to-face session, and 4 remote check-in sessions delivered by an occupational therapist over a 12-week period. A mixed-methods approach was used to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the program. Quantitative measures included feasibility assessments (recruitment rates, retention, intervention acceptability) and completion of carer related outcomes (anxiety, depression, self-efficacy, satisfaction). Qualitative measures involved an open-ended postintervention survey for carers and individual interviews with occupational therapists to explore program relevance and suitability. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed using descriptive and thematic analysis, respectively.
Results:
During recruitment (July - October 2025), 20 eligible carers were identified and 19 consented to participate in the carer support program. Of those who provided consent, 17 completed the intervention, attended all scheduled check-in sessions, and completed outcome measures. Participants were satisfied with the resource provided (4.7 ± 0.43 out of 5) and found the check-in sessions useful for their caring role (4.82 ± 0.39 out of 5). Interviews with occupational therapists revealed two themes: (1) Simplicity, structure, and ongoing support; and (2) Embedding carer-focused support within existing services.
Conclusion:
Findings demonstrate that the carer support program was feasible and acceptable to carers and occupational therapists. Carers valued access to a physical copy of a tailored resource in combination with structured support. Further testing through a fully powered trial is required to determine the efficacy of the intervention on carer outcomes.
Practice Implications:
Carer feedback highlighted the importance of providing carers with a physical resource with simple and concise information in combination with tailored support sessions.
