Active clinical trials for "Stroke"

There has been A-level evidence for the effectiveness of inhibitory rTMS of the contralesional M1 hand region in stroke patients in the acute stage. However, it has been reported to be ineffective in the chronic stage. In addition, it has been reported that the patient group benefiting from rTMS is mostly those with moderate to mild motor impairment. In contrast, a recent randomized controlled study has reported that ipsilesional excitatory rTMS or contra-lesional inhibitory rTMS may also have positive effects in stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation applied to the contralesional primary motor cortex, by using the rTMS parameters specified in the current recommendation guide, on motor function, activities of daily living, and quality of life in subacute stroke patients with severe upper limb motor impairment.

Stroke is closely associated with high mortality among patients in hospitals and immobility leading development of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) leading to pulmonary embolism (PE) and Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and/or ankle joint contracture, which impairs mobility resulting in bedridden. Worldwide, the incidences of DVTs is 0.75-2.69 per 1000 individuals and 2-7 per 1000 for individuals aged > 70 years and accounts for 600,000-800,000 deaths yearly. Pharmacological treatment for DVTs include anti-coagulants to prevent blood clot development and VTE but may cause haemorrhagic stroke leading to death. Non-invasive treatment such as intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) and anti-embolism stockings may prevent DVT but not ankle joint contractures, which affects 50% of all stroke patients. Joint contractures exacerbate pedal edema and fluid retention, hamper proper joint movement and decreases ADLs and quality of life. Regular physiotherapy is vital for preventing ankle joint contracture and DVT but is labour intensive hence posing an increased workload on physiotherapists resulting in decreased physiotherapy duration. This study will investigate the use of an automated robot-assisted ankle exercise solution (Venous Assistance and Contracture Management System, VACOM) to mimic therapist-assisted on bed passive ankle exercises to preclude the development of ankle joint contracture and facilitate venous flow in lower extremities to reduce DVT risk. The investigators hypothesize that the Venous Assistance and Contracture Management (VACOM) system can prevent ankle contracture, improve ankle range of motion (ROM) and flexibility while reducing the risk of DVT incidence among stroke patients more than using IPC alone. Additionally, through early ankle mobilization, rehabilitation can be optimized to achieve better neurological recovery.

Minocycline is the second generation of tetracycline. Because of its lipophilicity, it has high penetrance of blood-brain barrier. Animal model studies have shown that minocycline can reduce cerebral damage after ischemic stroke, and its mechanism involves multiple molecular pathways, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti apoptotic pathways, and protection of blood-brain barrier. Clinical studies have also shown that minocycline can significantly improve 3-month National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) of patients with ischemic stroke, indicating that minocycline is a potential neuroprotective drug. Minocycline is believed to protect the blood-brain barrier, thereby reducing the ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by mechanical thrombectomy. However, whether minocycline can become a synergistic treatment method of mechanical thrombectomy, there is no clinical research in this area at present. Therefore, investigators carry out the study on the effect of minocycline in patients with acute anterior circulation ischemic stroke after mechanical thrombectomy, and plan to enroll 180 patients. To explore the safety and effectiveness of minocycline in patients with acute ischemic stroke after thrombectomy.

In Switzerland, approximately 20'000 persons suffer a stroke each year. Despite carefully considered rehabilitation programs, full recovery is achieved only in a small proportion of stroke survivors (www.swissheart.ch). Studies suggest that motor-cognitive trainings can improve gait, balance, and mobility in chronic stoke survivors. However, little is known about the effect of motor-cognitive trainings on cognitive functioning in chronic stroke. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of a motor-cognitive training added to usual care compared to usual care alone on cognitive functions, single- and dual-task mobility, gait and health-related quality of life. In this single-blind RCT, 38 participants will be allocated randomly to either the intervention group (usual care + motor-cognitive training by means of an exergame for 12 weeks, 2x/week for 30-40 minutes) or the control group (usual care only). Both groups will attend three assessments, at baseline, post-intervention (12 weeks after baseline), and at follow-up (24 weeks after baseline). Global cognitive functioning will be the primary endpoint and a linear mixed model will be used for analysis. Motor-cognitive trainings, especially exergames, bear the potential for further development of innovative long-term rehabilitation solutions for chronic stroke survivors. Cognitive deficits are a common unmet need restricting daily activities mentioned by chronic stroke survivors. Exergame training following personally tailored progression to generate optimal training load may help addressing this unmet need. Therefore, this study will contribute to the on-going research objective on how to improve the long-term care of stroke patients.

This study will explore whether sleep in stroke survivors is improved with digital cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia (Sleepio), in comparison to treatment as usual, and will explore whether changes in sleep relate to changes in overnight consolidation of motor learning.

Introduction: Stroke is one of the major causes of morbidity/mortality in the world and affected individuals, due to important (mainly motor) impairments, have their physical capacity to exercise reduced, a fact that aggravates the cardiovascular risk factors already installed. For this reason, a cardiovascular rehabilitation program, in addition to motor rehabilitation, must be added to the life of this individual. Objective: To verify the cardiovascular and metabolic effects of treadmill gait training associated with functional electrical stimulation in individuals after stroke. Method: This study will be an analysis based on archived data from the project "Functional electrical stimulation during gait training in people after stroke" approved by the CEP with CAAE number: 52079115.4.0000.5515. Such analyzes have not been carried out before and they will enable the discussion of other important points for the scientific community and health professionals. The study included 20 adults (aged between 45 and 59 years) and elderly individuals (aged between 60 and 70 years) with sequelae of hemiparesis due to stroke, of both sexes. To assess functional capacity, the 6-minute walk test was performed and, from this, the Double product, VO2max and metabolic consumption units (METs) will be estimated in this research. There were two protocols (Group A and B) formed by two training phases alternating between moments with and without electrical stimulation (WalkAide), consisting of 12 sessions, twice a week and lasting 30 minutes. In each session before and after training, the participants remained seated at rest for 10 minutes, for the collection of cardiorespiratory parameters and heart rate variability. During training on a treadmill with or without electrical stimulation, heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV) were monitored, and a detailed analysis of HRV will be carried out in this research. Data will be analyzed and statistically treated, considering a significance level of p<0.05.

Background: Stroke secondary prevention guidelines point out that post-stroke individuals often present sedentary or inactive behavior and, therefore, should be encouraged to practice physical activity. Behavior change interventions, such as to encourage physical activity practice, must be theoretically informed and can be implemented remotely. However, systematic reviews about telehealth interventions do not consolidate evidence regarding the use of these interventions to promote physical activity with post-stroke individuals. Objectives: The primary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of telehealth intervention involving the HEARTS technical package and the use of an activity monitor to promote physical activity with post-stroke individuals. The secondary aim of this study is to investigate the effect of the previously mentioned intervention in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increasing lifestyle-related energy consumption, improving self-efficacy for physical activity and health-related quality of life of post-stroke individuals. Design: A randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment will assign eligible participants to experimental or control group. Participants in both groups will undergo a theoretically informed telehealth intervention based on HEARTS technical package (a face-to-face session and telephone call follow-up). The experimental group will have additional use of the Mi Band 7® Smartwatch activity monitor. For both groups, the intervention will last for 12 weeks. Measurements will be performed at baseline (week 0), after the end of the intervention program (week 12) and one month after the end of the intervention program (week 16). Study Outcomes: Primary outcome is the physical activity level and the number of individuals post-stroke who became physically active. Secondary outcomes are systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lifestyle-related energy consumption, self-efficacy for physical activity and health-related quality of life. Conclusion: The results of this trial will provide valuable new information on the effect of the previously mentioned intervention to promote physical activity with post-stroke individuals, as well in reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, increasing lifestyle-related energy consumption, improving self-efficacy for physical activity and health-related quality of life of these individuals.

There will be a long term effects of action observation therapy and mirror therapy on upper limb functional outcomes after subacute stroke.

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients. The main questions it seeks to answer are: Whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has a positive effect on upper extremity motor function in stroke patients. Which stimulation protocol (low frequency - LF or high-frequency - HF) has better outcomes for improving upper extremity motor function in stroke patients? Participants will receive 10 procedures of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over two weeks. They will be randomly assigned into low-frequency, high-frequency rTMS groups or sham stimulation groups. Upper extremity motor function will be evaluated twice: before stimulation and 3-4 weeks after stimulation. Researchers will compare sham stimulation to see if it has the same or better outcomes for improving upper extremity motor function in stroke patients than real rTMS.

Patients with a clinico-neuroradiological mismatch pattern shown on the magnetic resonance imaging/Computed Tomography in the acute phase of stroke are more likely to benefit from reperfusion, are suitable candidates for endovascular therapy, and have a better clinical prognosis. The ASTER Trial showed similar results between stent-retrievers and contact aspiration concerning the recanalization grade in anterior circulation occlusions. However, we still observe late and futile recanalizations, secondary either to extended ischemic lesions at baseline, long-time procedures or intraprocedural complications. The First Pass Effect that is the complete/nearly complete recanalization after the first maneuver, independently on the technique used, has been strongly associated with better clinical outcomes . In a recent paper we proposed a novel approach to identify those cases that could be treated with a specific technique (stent-retriever) with higher chances to achieve a complete or nearly complete recanalization, with lower procedure times and lower complication rates. This approach is focused on the identification of a regular or irregular phenotype of the occlusion site in patients with an M1-Middle Cerebral Artery occlusion. The phenotype is defined as "regular" whether the profile of the occlusion is abruptly cut without any irregularity and as "irregular" if any irregularity of the profile of the occlusion is observed. One of the hypotheses that could explain these results could be related to the composition of the clot : a soft and less organized clot could be more easily flattened by the pulsatile flow and therefore determine a regular aspect of the occlusion. A more solid and organized clot would, on the contrary, maintain an irregular profile because it would not be flattened by the blood flow and the contrast medium could highlight the irregularities of the proximal face of the clot. The latter could be a favorable target for the use of a stent-retriever since the interaction between a solid clot and the struts of the stent could increase the chance to retrieve the clot. Therefore, we propose this randomized controlled trial to assess the superiority of stent-retrievers compared to contact aspiration in the treatment of irregular phenotype occlusions of the M1-Middle Cerebral Artery.