Background/Objectives: Cognitive and psychological difficulties are prevalent among young adult stroke survivors, but many remain without effective support. The Young Stroke Service (YSS) Neuropsychological Intervention (NI) Service addresses these unmet needs with a Memory Skills Group and Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Adapted for Brain Injury (CBT-ABI) delivered via telehealth across Victoria and South Australia. We aimed to evaluate NI service processes and outcomes.
Method: Data collection is ongoing throughout the YSS delivery period (2023-2027). Process evaluation includes characterising service users and intervention delivery resources, and auditing implementation barriers/facilitators. Outcome evaluation includes Goal Attainment Scaling, and measures of self-efficacy, wellbeing, everyday memory, depression and anxiety symptoms completed pre- and post-intervention; and post-intervention service satisfaction measure.
Results: From July 2023 to April 2025, 153 young stroke survivors were referred to the NI Service (55% from VIC; 69% for CBT-ABI). Mean age was 42.7 (range 18-55), with 54% female, 46% male, 0% non-binary/other. Eight clinical neuropsychologists delivered the service. More time was spent on administrative tasks than initially projected. Over 93% of patient goals were attained, with significant improvements in everyday memory (post-memory-group), depression and anxiety symptoms, wellbeing, and self-efficacy (post-CBT-ABI). 95% of participants were satisfied with the service.
Conclusions: The YSS NI service has achieved positive outcomes for young stroke survivors, which are comparable to clinical trial outcomes. This specialised telehealth hub requires a unique service and funding model, distinct from on-site services. Promising results highlight the need for a nationwide neuropsychological intervention service, with suitable policy support for sustainability and scalability.