Back to search results

Compassion Strikes Back: Improving Quality of Life for LVAD Patients and Caregivers

This study, called "Compassion Strikes Back," is looking for ways to improve the quality of life for people with a Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) and their caregivers. An LVAD is a mechanical pump that helps the heart pump blood. We know that after getting an LVAD, patients and their caregivers often face more mental health challenges and a lower quality of life. This study will test if providing information and training on self-compassion can help. Participants will receive handouts and meet with a psychological provider to learn about and practice self-compassion. We will measure self-compassion and quality of life after 2 months to see if this approach is helpful. We are looking for 40 participants, including LVAD patients or their family caregivers, who are between 18 and 80 years old.

Study design
This is an interventional study with 40 planned participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
Participants will complete two surveys: one while in the hospital and another at a 2-month follow-up appointment with their cardiologist.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Participants will be followed for 2 months after the initial survey.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT06988995

Compassion Strikes Back

Recruiting
NAAges 18–80InterventionalTreatment
University of Florida
~40 participants
Updated 2026-06-29 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:InformationMeeting

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Self-compassion
Measured over 2 months
+1 more outcome measured

Conditions

LVAD Caregivers
LVAD (Left Ventricular Assist Device)
Quality of Life (QOL)
Self-Compassion

Explore related trials

Ventricular Assist Device Placement

NCT06988995

Where you'd take part

This study runs at 1 site. They're the same protocol — you choose where, and that choice sets who your contact draft is addressed to.

  • University of Florida

    Gainesville, Floridastudy coordinator listed

    Recruiting

Sites open and close at different times, so the status above is per site — it can differ from the study's overall status.

Who to contact

Abigail Shonrock, PhD
[email protected]
610-772-6099
Email the study team

Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.

Want this trial checked against your situation?

Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.

Check eligibility for this trial ~2 min · HIPAA-protected · delete anytime
Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

LVAD implantation or caregiver or patient with LVAD; over 18 years old; primary caregiver is a family member

Exclusion

Currently or in the past 3 months received psychotherapy or psychosocial or peer support; hospitalized for psychiatric reasons in the past 6 months; current, active suicidal thoughts or a reported suicide attempt within the past year; a current alcohol/substance use disorder that required immediate treatment; or a current or past thought disorder, psychosis, or unmanaged bipolar disorder; enrolled in another investigational research/clinical trial; toxic/negative dynamic between pt and caregiver; extended post-LVAD implantation course (i.e., more than 2 months in the hospital).

What this trial measures

  • Self-compassion2 months

    Level of self-compassion a participant reports using the Self-Compassion Scale - Short Form (Raes et al., 2011). Scores range from 1-5.

  • QOL2 months

    Quality of Life will be measured using the 16 item Quality of Life Scale (Burckhardt et al., 1989). Scores range from 16-112, with higher scores indicating higher levels of quality of life.