Developing and testing a remotely delivered educational and psychological support group programme (e-OPTIMISM) for people after TIA and minor stroke

University of Nottingham

Open to: People in the UK aged 18 or over who have experienced a transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or minor stroke.
Deadline: 30 September 2026.
Apply: You can apply to take part by contacting OPTIMISM@nottingham.ac.uk.
Contact: If you have any questions, please email OPTIMISM@nottingham.ac.uk.

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.

What is the opportunity about?

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have created a face-to-face support programme for people who have experienced a TIA or minor stroke. They want to understand what support people find most helpful and whether an online programme, called e-OPTIMISM, could make support more accessible.

The feedback gathered will help shape a programme to support emotional wellbeing, confidence and healthy lifestyle changes suitable for a wide range of people after TIA or minor stroke.

What will it involve?

If you decide to take part, you may be invited to an interview conducted on Teams lasting up to one hour. Participants may also be invited to or a group workshop lasting up to 90 minutes. The workshop may be in-person or online.

These sessions will explore your experiences after TIA or minor stroke, your thoughts on the type of support that would be most useful and your views on support being delivered remotely.

Who can take part?

You may be able to take part if you are aged 18 or over, live in the UK, have experienced a TIA or minor stroke and can offer informed consent.

What will you get from taking part?

You may not benefit directly, but your feedback will help shape an online support programme and could improve the emotional support available to people after TIA or minor stroke.

How can I take part?

If you would like to take part or find out more, please contact OPTIMISM@nottingham.ac.uk.

They will be happy to answer your questions and explain the next steps.

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.

Taking part in clinical trials can support research to:

• Stop strokes from happening.
• Treat strokes.
• Support stroke survivors and their families to rebuild their lives.

By taking part in research, you can help us to learn more about stroke and make a difference to the lives of future stroke survivors.

Find out how our research has made a difference to 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.

Find out more about taking part in research.