Better Understanding of Fatigue After STroke

Launched by BRUGMANN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Feb 27, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, titled "Better Understanding of Fatigue After Stroke," is exploring the issue of extreme tiredness, known as post-stroke fatigue (PSF), that many people experience after having a stroke. PSF can greatly affect a person's daily life and their ability to recover. Researchers want to understand how problems with the autonomic nervous system (which controls involuntary bodily functions) and heart issues that can occur after a stroke might contribute to this fatigue. They will look at heart rate patterns and other factors to see if they can find connections between these issues and the fatigue patients feel.

To participate in this study, individuals must be at least 18 years old, have had their first ischemic stroke (a type of stroke caused by a blockage in blood flow) within the last 72 hours, and be admitted to a specific stroke unit in Belgium. Participants will undergo assessments to measure their fatigue, mood, and cognitive abilities, and will also have an MRI of their brain. The goal is to gather more information that could help improve understanding and treatment of fatigue after a stroke, ultimately leading to better care for patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18
• • First-ever (suspicion of) ischemic stroke based on clinical examination and/or brain imaging
• • Onset \< 72h at time of inclusion
• • Admitted at the stroke unit of CHU Brugmann and UZ Brussel
• • Ability to participate in assessment of fatigue, cognitive, mood and sleep disturbances
• • Ability to undergo MRI of the brain
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Unable to speak French, Dutch or English
• • Pre-existing stroke or other structural brain lesion
• • Life expectancy \< 1 year
• • Severe language impairment or dementia impeding assessment of fatigue, cognitive, mood and sleep disturbances
• • Pregnancy or wish to become pregnant