If you or someone close to you has had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (TIA), you know how important good care and clear information can be for recovery. We want to share a chance for stroke survivors to tell their stories.
The pharmaceutical company Bayer is doing a study to better understand stroke survivors’ experiences. The Stroke Foundation is working with the researchers and other community organizations to help stroke survivors learn about the ELEVATE study. ELEVATE offers an opportunity for survivors to share their stories and experiences and seeks to use the results to improve stroke education.
What is the study about?
The goal of this study is to learn about people’s personal stroke experiences. The researchers want to talk to people who have had one or more strokes or a TIA (you may have also heard this referred to as a “ministroke”). They are especially interested in hearing from women who have had more than one stroke. The researchers want to learn about the care people received during and after a stroke and the feelings they have had since their stroke. They would also like to hear about what people learned during their recovery and things they wish they had known or gotten help with before or after their stroke.
The study will include about 70 stroke survivors from around the United States. Bayer intends to use what participants share to develop stroke educational materials. What you share in this study could help other stroke survivors in the future better understand stroke and what help they can get. The study results will also be submitted to a scientific journal and scientific conferences.
Following is more information on who qualifies for the study, the study process, and the payment for participants.
Who is the study looking for?
- Black, Hispanic, or White women who have experienced 1 or more strokes, which could also include a TIA
- Black, Hispanic, or White men who have experienced 2 or more strokes, which could also include a TIA
The ELEVATE study will speak with survivors who live with a range of stroke-related complications. We know that communication challenges such as aphasia are part of many people’s stroke experience. However, for this study, participants must be able to share their thoughts and feelings in an interview using their own words. A caregiver, family member, or friend is welcome to help set up the call or be nearby for support, but they won’t be able to answer or interpret responses during the interview.
How will the study work?
If you are interested in joining the study, you can fill out this survey to see if you qualify: https://tinyurl.com/bpm5s3pc. Or you can reply to this email with your name and contact information and tell us if you prefer to be contacted by email or telephone. We will share your contact information with the researchers. You may also contact the research team directly by email (ELEVATE@soker-data.com) or their toll-free phone number (844-982-4761) for more information.
A researcher will reach out to you to schedule a time to talk. If you haven’t filled out the survey, they will ask you a few questions to make sure you qualify. The researcher will also explain the study to you and the documents that you must fill out to join the study. If you decide to join the study, the researcher will set up a time to talk to you for a 1-hour interview (on a computer or by telephone).
Payment
If you join the study and complete the interview, you will receive $120 as reasonable compensation for your time. You will receive a pre-loaded gift card by email after your interview.
Thank you for considering being part of this important work. If you know someone else who might want to join the study, please share this email with them. If you have any questions about the study, please reach out to the research team.
