University of Nottingham
Keywords: TIA, PTSD, Questionnaire, Mood, Coping
Open to: Adults that have been diagnosed with a T.I.A. (or mini-stroke) between 1 week and 3 months ago.
Deadline: 27 March 2025
Take part: Please register your interest by clicking on this link.
Key Contact: Chloe Webb (chloe.webb1@nottingham.ac.uk).
Further information is available in the Participant Information Sheet .
Research participation requests are sent to the Stroke Association from external research institutions (e.g. universities and hospitals).
We conduct checks on these before promoting but are not involved in their running. This means we cannot comment on trials and have no affiliation with them.
Research on what may contribute to psychological distress after a TIA is sparse, but is indicated how people think about the event, and their coping style may be important. We are interested in whether people experience PTSD and mood problems after a TIA and what factors may contribute. This could lead to targeted psychological interventions being incorporated into services and raise awareness to longer-lasting symptoms.
Participation involves a one-time completion of 5 questionnaires and a demographics form taking up to 30-minutes.
Adults over 18 who live in the United Kingdom who have experienced their first TIA within the past 3 months, and at least 1 week after the TIA. Can read/write to a level of English to complete questionnaires. Those who have had a diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety or depression within 1-year or currently receiving psychological treatment for PTSD, anxiety, or depression (excluding medication) will be unable to take part.
What is the opportunity about?
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder which can occur after exposure to trauma. It can be followed by ongoing symptoms, which include re-experiencing and changes in mood and thinking.
There is evidence that PTSD can occur after medical diagnoses, but currently, there is minimal research into the impact of PTSD and psychological effects following a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA). The symptoms of a TIA are like a stroke, which can include limb weakness and sensory changes. Symptoms appear to go away within 24 hours, unlike a stroke where symptoms can be longer-lasting.
Despite this, a TIA is a frightening experience. In TIA services, patients will attend a one-day clinic, get physical health tests and advice relating to lifestyle, and are often discharged with no further support. However, stroke patients often receive further care, which can include inpatient stays and psychological support. Research has indicated TIA patients do have longer-lasting psychological aftereffects, which include symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
The research on TIA and what may contribute to such ongoing psychological distress is sparse. It is indicated how people think about the event, and their coping style may be important factors. The researchers are interested in whether people experience PTSD symptoms and mood problems after a TIA and what factors relate to their development.
If we can identify which factors contribute to the development of psychological distress, it could lead to targeted psychological interventions being incorporated into services and raise awareness that patients have longer-lasting symptoms.
What will it Involve?
Participants will be asked to complete 5 self-report questionnaries and a demographics form which asks questions in relation to their TIA. The questionnaires are short and easy to complete and will take no more than 30 minutes to complete. The questionnaires include questions about their mood, how they coped with their TIA, how they thought about it, as well as demographic questions such as their age, employment status and living arrangements.
Participants will only need to complete these questionnaires once. Questionnaires will be sent out by an emailed online survey. They will then complete the questionnaires and the answers will be saved.
That will be the end of their participation.
Who can take part?
Adults aged 18 and over who live in the United Kingdom who have experienced and been diagnosed with their first TIA within the past 3 months, and at least 1 week after the TIA.
Participants will be required to read and write to a level of English which enables them to complete self-report questionnaires.
Those who have had a diagnosis of PTSD, anxiety or depression within 1-year and those currently receiving psychological treatment or intervention for PTSD, anxiety, or depression (excluding medication) will be unable to take part in the study.
What will you get from taking part?
There is no direct benefit to participants from taking part, but the information we get from this study may help to understand the experiences of those who have experienced a TIA in more detail.
Currently, the psychological impact of a TIA is not well understood. Findings have the potential to raise awareness of which factors may contribute to people having PTSD symptoms and mood problems after a TIA, which could potentially be targeted for support or intervention.
How Can I Take Part?
Please visit the project website to register to take part or use the QR code below to be taken through.
All communication and data collection will take place online via email.
Please email Chloe Webb (chloe.webb1@nottingham.ac.uk) directly with any questions.
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Information on taking part in research
Research participation helps research teams to test new ideas and approaches by sharing information or trying new approaches in clinical trials.
Find out more about taking part in research
Taking part in clinical trials can support research to:
- Stop strokes from happening.
- Treat strokes.
- Support people to rebuild their lives.
By taking part in research, you can help us to learn more about stroke and make a difference in the lives of future stroke survivors.
Find out about how our research has made a difference in the lives of people affected by stroke.
We have produced the Clinical Trials and Stroke booklet to explain more about clinical trials and answer questions you might have about taking part. The booklet was produced with the NIHR Clinical Research Network.
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Information on Research Involvement
Research Involvement is a different way of contributing to research that involves collaborating with researchers to design decisions about how research is shaped and conducted.
You do not need any research knowledge to do this, your lived experience is what would otherwise be missing. Involvement is about contributing this to shape projects in ways that create most potential to benefit people affected.