Fluoxetine Opens Window to Improve Motor Recovery After Stroke (FLOW)
Stroke, Cerebrovascular Accident, Cerebral Infarction
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Stroke focused on measuring Stroke, Exercise, Fluoxetine, Randomized Control Trial, Rehabilitation
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- 25 years of age or older
- Days post stroke must be between 2 to 12 months when enrolled (i.e. day of consent)
- Patient-reported hemiparesis of the lower extremity
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Pre-morbid modified Rankin score > 2
- Substantial premorbid disability or pre-existing deficit or language comprehension deficit that could interfere with assessments
- Diagnosis of major depressive disorder/anxiety disorder requiring antidepressant use within 6 weeks of enrolment
- Taking neuroleptic drugs, benzodiazepines, monoamine oxidase inhibitors within 30 days of enrolment
- Unstable serious medical condition (e.g., terminal cancer, renal or liver failure, congestive heart failure)
- Resting blood pressure exceeding 180/100mmHg
- Requires more than a one person assist for transfer
- Planned surgery that would affect participation in the trial
- Participating in another formal lower limbs exercise program more than one day per week
- History of QT prolongation or concomitant use of clearly identified potential QT prolonging drugs, at the investigators discretion (e.g. amiodarone, bepridil, dysopyramide, dofetilide, flecainide, ibutilide, procainamide, propafenone, quinidine, sotalol, phenothiazines, pimozide, ziprasidone, TCAs, halofantrine, cisapride, and probucol)
- History of glaucoma
- Patients with a history of thrombocytopenia or clinically significant bleeding disorder or use of NSAID, ASA or other anticoagulants, at the investigators' discretion
- History of convulsive disorders
- Potential pregnancy (per screening algorithm)
- Patients with an ongoing history of illicit drug use and/or alcohol abuse
- Patient unwilling or unable to comply with trial requirements
- Patient unable to understand English or communicate with the study team with staff support or translation services
Sites / Locations
- University of Calgary
- University of British Columbia & GF Strong Centre
- Riverview Health Centre
- Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Dalhousie University
- Parkwood Institute
- Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
- Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Placebo Comparator
Fluoxetine Hydrochloride
Placebo
Fluoxetine (Prozac) will be administered to this group. A ramp up period of 3-5 weeks will take place where the patient takes 10mg of Prozac per day. After that, the participant will take the regular dose of 20mg for the duration of the exercise intervention (12 weeks).
An over-encapsulated placebo, or "sugar pill" (so it appears identical to the trial drug) will be administered to this group. During the 3-5 week ramp up period for the experimental group, these participants will take a placebo identical to the 10mg Prozac capsule. After that, the participant will take a placebo identical to the 20mg Prozac capsule for the duration of the exercise intervention (12 weeks).