Poster The Joint Annual Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia (SSA) and Smartstrokes 2023

A feasibility study of a multicomponent digital Care Assistant and support Program for people after Stroke or transient ischaemic attack (CAPS). (#194)

Liam Allan 1 2 , David Silvera-Tawil 2 , Jan Cameron 1 3 , Jane Li 2 , Vanessa Smallbon 2 , Marlien Varnfield 2 , Julia Bomke 2 , Christian Redd 2 , Natasha A Lannin 4 5 , Muideen T Olaiya 1 , Dominique A Cadilhac 1 6
  1. Department of Medicine, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
  2. Australian e-Health Research Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
  3. Australian Centre for Heart Health, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Stroke Theme, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia

Background: Our novel, multicomponent care assistant and support program (CAPS) for stroke or TIA was co-designed with consumers, clinicians, and scientists to improve secondary stroke prevention. The CAPS program is delivered entirely virtually over 12 weeks. It comprises of clinician-facilitated goal setting, health behaviours/risk factor monitoring through a mobile application (app) and a wearable device, and SMS messages to support the achievement of goals.

 

Aim: To determine the reach, adoption, and usability of CAPS as a secondary prevention program for people with stroke or TIA.

 

Methods: An open-label, non-randomised feasibility study which applied a single group, pretest-posttest mixed methods design. We sought to recruit ~40 participants via the Australian Stroke Clinical Registry from Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. Eligibility: stroke or TIA 6 months to 3 years ago, ≥18 years, access to a mobile phone with internet, and living in a private residence. At baseline, participants set 1-2 secondary prevention goals, provided a wearable device to monitor risk factors, and trained to use the app. Feasibility outcomes included study recruitment, retention, and technology usage.

 

Results: Following mailed invitations, 58/600 (10%) agreed to participate, 22 were ineligible. Of the 36 eligible participants, 2 withdrew following baseline assessment. Subsequently, 34/36 (94%) participants commenced the program (median age 70 years, 27% female, 64% stroke). As of May 5th, 32 had completed the study, 1 withdrew. Preferred secondary prevention goals included increasing exercise (40%) and losing weight (23%). Wearable devices were provided to 26 participants (20 Fitbit, 6 Apple Watch); 11 requested to keep these. In the app, participants entered 4,775 health measurements (average of 132 per participant), recorded 874 text notes, and set 72 medication reminders.

 

Conclusions: The CAPS digital secondary prevention program was feasible, demonstrating good retention and engagement from participants. Findings will inform the design of an effectiveness trial.