Active — Not RecruitingNot Applicable

The Impact of an Advance Care Planning Game on Life-Sustaining Treatment Preferences, Depression, and Hope in Older Adults With Stroke

Taiwan72 participantsStarted 2026-01-29

Plain-language summary

Stroke is the world's third leading cause of death and a major source of disability, with high rates of recurrence and mortality that often limit patients' ability to express their values and treatment preferences. This highlights the importance of Advance Care Planning (ACP) after stroke. This randomized controlled trial examined the effects of an ACP block-based game on life-sustaining treatment preferences, depression, and hope among adults aged 65-100 with subacute stroke in a regional teaching hospital. The Life Support Preferences Questionnaire (LSPQ) served as the primary outcome to assess preference changes immediately after the intervention and at four weeks, while the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Herth Hope Index (HHI) were secondary measures. The intervention used the "LOHAS Journey" ACP game, which applies travel-themed scenarios, blocks to express medical choices, hope-enhancing elements, and companion cards emphasizing personal resources and potential surrogate decision-makers, while also encouraging warm emotional expression. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) were used to analyze repeated measures and time-by-group effects. If effective, this ACP game may support broader clinical adoption of structured discussions on life-sustaining treatment preferences for older stroke patients.

Who can participate

Age range

65 Years – 100 Years

Sex

ALL

See this in plain English?

AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.

Inclusion Criteria: * Older adults aged 65-100 years. * Diagnosed with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke confirmed by computer tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in the subacute stage 1-6 months after stroke onset. * A National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≤ 15, indicating mild to moderate stroke severity. * Clear consciousness and able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese. Exclusion Criteria: * Individuals diagnosed with chronic psychiatric disorders such as major depression, mania, or bipolar disorder. * Older adults diagnosed with moderate to severe dementia.

Questions worth asking your doctor

Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.

1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?

Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.

Questions for the trial coordinator

The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.

1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?

A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.

What they're measuring

life support preferences questionnaire; LSPQ

Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 5 weeks

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07235839

SponsorLotung Poh-Ai Hospital

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-05-31

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Stroke trials