Actively Recruiting
Led by Queen's University, Belfast · Updated on 2026-06-02
360
Participants Needed
5
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
Q
Queen's University, Belfast
Lead Sponsor
B
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Collaborating Sponsor
Heart failure is a common condition in the United Kingdom, where many patients depend on family members or friends to help care for them. These caregivers often face challenges and stress due to their role, which can affect their own mental and physical health. The Heart Failure Carer Support Programme (HELP) is the first intervention developed in the UK to support these carers by helping them care for themselves and the patients they assist. The study aims to find the best way to provide HELP across the UK and measure its effects on both carers and patients. HELP is delivered by heart failure nurses to about 180 informal carers across three UK locations. The programme consists of six weekly online support group sessions lasting one hour each, led by specialist nurses via video calls. Carers also receive an educational booklet and access to a website for additional guidance. Patients supported by these carers, also around 180 individuals, will provide information to assess how HELP affects both carers and patients over time. Participants will provide information at different times: before the programme starts, during the six weeks of HELP, immediately after finishing, and six months later. Researchers will collect data through interviews, logs, and questionnaires to understand how well HELP is delivered and what factors influence its success. They will also measure hospital admissions, doctor visits, and quality of life for patients, as well as burden, preparedness, and quality of life for carers. The study will last up to one year, including monitoring costs and long-term effects.
CONDITIONS
Heart Failure Carer Support Programme: Implementation Testing in the UK.
You may qualify if you...
You will not qualify if you...
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 visit (in-person or virtual) for eligibility assessment
Duration - 6 weeks
Participants engage in a 6-week psychoeducational support programme consisting of weekly online group support sessions and self-directed learning through educational materials.
Weekly online support group sessions via ZOOM
Duration - Up to 6 months after treatment
Participants are followed for up to 6 months to assess experiences, behavioural impacts, and long-term adherence to the support programme.
Assessments at baseline, 6 weeks, and 6 months with additional weekly perspectives collected during the 6-week programme
Total: 5 locations
1
Royal Victoria Hospital
Belfast, United Kingdom
Not Yet Recruiting
2
Ulster Hospital
Belfast, United Kingdom
Not Yet Recruiting
3
Craigavon Area Hospital
Craigavon, United Kingdom
Not Yet Recruiting
4
Glasgow Royal Infirmary
Glasgow, United Kingdom
Actively Recruiting
5
King's College Hospital
London, United Kingdom
Not Yet Recruiting
G
Gareth Thompson, PhD
D
Donna Fitzsimons, PhD, RN
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
NON_RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE
Number of Arms
2
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Gareth Thompson, Judy Bradley, Martin Dempster...
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41996443