Pilot Feasibility Trial of a Peer Support Program for Trauma Survivors

Sponsor
Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Study ID
NCT07275892
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Amputation
  • Burns
  • Mental Health Outcomes
  • Traumatic Injury

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Cross-continuum Peer Support Program — BEHAVIORAL
    Trained trauma-survivor peer supporters (n=4), supported by a research team member; peers complete a 5-session training covering trauma-informed communication, boundaries, crisis de-escalation, self-care, and secondary trauma. Trauma survivors will be recruited in acute care and have the option to meeting once with a trained peer supporter prior to discharge to inpatient rehabilitation. In in-patient rehab they will attend 1 hour peer support group sessions facilitated by the trained peer supporters twice a week for a total of 3 weeks. Once discharged the community, they will attend 1 hour peer support group sessions facilitated by the trained peer supporters once a week for a total of 12 weeks.

Study Details

Traumatic injuries from events like car crashes, falls, or fires are a leading cause of disability. Survivors often face not only physical challenges but also long-lasting pain, mental health challenges and difficulty returning to work and family life. Although medical care focuses on physical recovery, survivors frequently report that their emotional and social needs are overlooked and unmet. Peer support-guidance from people who have lived through similar injuries-can reduce distress and improve coping. However, no programs in Canada currently provide peer support to trauma survivors across their recovery journey, from hospital to rehabilitation to community living. The investigators worked with trauma survivors, caregivers, and healthcare providers to co-design a Peer Support Program (PSP) that offers support throughout these stages. This pilot study will test whether the program is feasible and acceptable, and explore its early impact on recovery. Results will guide a future larger trial to expand peer support in trauma care.

Key Dates

First listed
Dec 10, 2025
Start date
Jan 1, 2026
Status verified
Dec 2025
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2027
Completion
Dec 31, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
49 participants (estimated)
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Single-arm pilot feasibility study
    To evaluate implementation and preliminary impact prior to a future RCT.

Primary Outcome Measure

Feasibility of implementing the Peer Support Program [ Time Frame: From recruitment to 3 months post intervention ]

Central Contacts

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