Feasibility
Recruitment, attendance, completion, burden, satisfaction, protocol fidelity, and unexpected events.
Pilot Study
We want to measure what happens—not assume it.
The first study is designed to establish feasibility and generate preliminary, carefully interpreted outcome data.
Initial design
A practical first step.
- Approximately 20–40 participants
- Initial focus on adults able to independently provide informed consent
- Single-arm pre/post design unless an advisor recommends a comparison group
- Standardized facilitator instructions and timing
- Exploratory—not confirmatory—outcome analysis
Assessment schedule
T0
Before
Eligibility/safety check; minimal demographics; baseline well-being/social connection; optional behavioral task.
T1
Immediately after
Well-being; social connection; activity experience; satisfaction; optional behavioral task.
T2
1–2 week follow-up
Optional brief follow-up on well-being, usefulness, and continued use of activities.
Outcomes
What will we measure?
Participant experience
Well-being, social connection, meaningfulness, comfort, and perceived usefulness using appropriate measures.
Behavior & function
Simple repeatable indicators such as task completion or response latency, and validated cognitive tasks when justified.
Ethics & safety
Research participation must be voluntary and appropriately supervised.
Before research data are collected, the team should determine whether IRB/ethics review is required and establish informed-consent, privacy, safety, and data-management procedures. Future work involving minors, people with impaired decision-making capacity, or specific neurodegenerative/psychiatric populations will require additional protections and expert oversight.
Stronger Minds is not a crisis-response service and facilitators do not provide therapy.