Health Promotion and Wellness Program for Adults With Disabling Conditions
Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Rheumatoid Arthritis

About this trial
This is an interventional prevention trial for Stroke focused on measuring Self Care, Exercise, Weight management
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria Stroke:
- Physician-confirmed diagnosis of stroke (> 6 weeks)
- Body mass index between 23 to 45 kg/m2
- Age 30 to 75 years
Exclusion Criteria Stroke:
- Pregnant or plans to become pregnant in the next 6 months
- Current participation in a face-to-face weight management program
- Uncontrolled diabetes (hospitalization within the prior 6 months)
- Serious mental illness
- Thyroid and adrenal gland diseases
- Inability to walk 3 meters with or without a cane or walker
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease that limits engagement in physical activity (e.g., myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacement during the past three months, serious cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, and pulmonary embolus) or abnormal blood pressure or heart rate response after the 6-Minute Walking Test (e.g., a drop in systolic blood pressure of >10mmHg from baseline)
- Severe cognitive deficits (Screening questioanire called the Short Orientation Memory-Concentration < 12)
- Currently taking oral corticosteroids, antipsychotic (except for depression medication), or medications specifically for weight loss
- 3 or more falls in the past month
- Bulimia
- Unable to speak English over the phone
- Able to eat independently and is not on a special diet because of difficulty in swallowing
- Unstable weight (gained or lost >10lbs in the last two months)
Inclusion Criteria MS or RA:
- Physician-confirmed diagnosis of multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis
- Body mass index between 23 to 45 kg/m2
Exclusion Criteria MS or RA:
- Pregnant or plans to become pregnant in the next 6 months
- Current participation in a face-to-face weight management program
- Uncontrolled diabetes (hospitalization within the prior 6 months)
- Serious mental illness
- Inability to walk 3 meters with or without a cane or walker
- Severe cardiopulmonary disease that limits engagement in physical activity
- Severe cognitive deficits (Short Orientation Memory-Concentration < 12)
- Currently taking oral corticosteroids, antipsychotic (except for depression medication), or medications specifically for weight loss
- 3 or more falls in the past month
- Bulimia
- Unable to speak English
- Uncontrolled thyroid or adrenal disease (change in type and dosage of medication within the prior 3 months)
Sites / Locations
- Case Western Reserve University
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
SystemCHANGE Group Lifestyle counseling
Phone Lifestyle Counseling
The SystemCHANGE™ intervention will be delivered over a six-month period involving 12 face-to-face group sessions (1.5 to 2 hours each) held weekly for three months, followed by three monthly "booster calls." Intervention groups include ~10 to 15 patients, and friends and family members are encouraged to attend. Intervention sessions consist of 30-min to 60-min of behavior change activities and 60-min focused on healthy behaviors.
Participants will receive pamphlets that contain information on healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, and symptom management, and will be followed-up with telephone calls.