# Carepartner Collaborative Integrated Therapy in Sub-Acute Stroke

> **NIH NIH R21** · EMORY UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $236,594

## Abstract

Abstract
DESCRIPTION: Stroke is a leading cause of serious, long-term disability. Family carepartner (CP)
management and support can improve stroke survivor (SS) recovery; but can also increased the CP’s
depression, frustration, and resentment. CPs frequently feel overwhelmed and exhausted, while unmet CP
needs negatively affect the rehabilitation of the SS and increase CP risk of mortality. We have developed a
theory-based, family-centered intervention, Carepartner Collaborative Integrated Therapy (CARE-CITE)
designed to positively engage CPs during SS upper extremity functional task practice in the home setting. Using
exemplary and interactive videos of family scenarios in the home, CARE-CITE guides the CP in collaborative
goal setting and creating an autonomy supportive environment with the SS to promote motivation and creative
problem solving in upper extremity self-management. To date, CARE-CITE has been evaluated in SS with
chronic stroke and coupled with a well-established and structured intensive upper extremity task practice
intervention called constraint-induced movement therapy. The specific objective of this proposal is to refine
and test our mobile, web-based self-management intervention as an adjunct to usual and customary upper
extremity care sooner after stroke when SS are in outpatient rehabilitation and in the sub-acute (1-3 months)
recovery period to improve family CP and SS psychosocial and physical health outcomes. Our proposed two
year project uses a mixed methods convergent design with a two-group experimental approach with separate
quantitative and qualitative analyses followed by integration of findings. We will block randomize (2:1) 36
dyads to treatment (usual and customary care with CARE-CITE) or control (usual and customary care without
structured CP involvement). In-person semi-structured interviews post intervention with CPs receiving CARE-
CITE will be analyzed to illuminate quantitative results. The premise underpinning this research is that a
theory-based, family-centered intervention focused on skill building, improved family context, and problem-
solving will improve SS physical function and quality of life while reducing CP negative outcomes. AIMS: Our
long-term goal is to improve joint responsibilities for self-management during stroke recovery and
subsequently improve CP and SS outcomes through technologically supported intervention strategies. The
aims of this R21 application are: (a) to evaluate mobile CARE-CITE delivered at home during subacute stroke
rehabilitation on both CP and SS health outcomes and quality of life, (b) to examine the effect of mobile CARE-
CITE on the family context and processes related to stroke rehabilitation, and (c) Use qualitative methods
to complement the interpretation of effects on processes and outcomes from Aims 1 and 2. Data
from this study will help us gain an understanding of mechanisms that underpin family-centered self-
management interventions to improve SS and CP ou...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9906277
- **Project number:** 5R21NR018015-02
- **Recipient organization:** EMORY UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Sarah R. Blanton
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $236,594
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-04-03 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9906277

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9906277, Carepartner Collaborative Integrated Therapy in Sub-Acute Stroke (5R21NR018015-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9906277. Licensed CC0.

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