Taiwan Post-Stroke Disability Study

Launched by NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL · Jan 8, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The Taiwan Post-Stroke Disability Study is looking to understand the different disabilities that can occur after a stroke, including challenges with movement, thinking, swallowing, and mood. This is important because stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in Taiwan. The study will involve 2,000 patients who have recently had a stroke, either due to a blockage (ischemic) or bleeding (hemorrhagic). Researchers will gather information at three different times: when the patients join the study, three months later, and again after a year. They will use surveys, tests, and samples to explore how common these disabilities are and what factors might contribute to them.

To participate in this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have had a confirmed stroke. Before the stroke, your ability to function should have been relatively good (measured by a score of 0, 1, or 2 on a specific scale). Participants will undergo assessments to check their cognitive (thinking) abilities and overall health. However, some individuals may not be eligible, such as those with serious mental health issues before the stroke or those who have had a stroke very recently. If you decide to join, you will be contributing to important research that could help improve care for future stroke patients in Taiwan.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Ischemic stroke confirmed by MRI, or hemorrhagic stroke diagnosed by CT or MRI.
• • 2. Age ≥ 18 years.
• • 3. Pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0, 1, or 2.
• • 4. Post-stroke mRS score of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 at enrollment.
• • 5. Able to undergo cognitive function screening and other scale assessments within 30 days post-stroke.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. Transient ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage.
• • 2. Clear and severe psychiatric or emotional disorders before the stroke, including schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder.
• • 3. History of clinical stroke within three months prior to enrollment.
• • 4. Unable to communicate or cooperate for assessments due to severe aphasia.
• • 5. Severe dementia prior to the stroke.
• • 6. Pre-stroke modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ≥ 3.
• • 7. Post-stroke mRS score of 5 at enrollment.
• • 8. History of cancer with an expected life expectancy of less than one year.
• • 9. Expected life expectancy of less than one year due to other medical conditions.
• • 10. Anticipated inability to complete a one-year follow-up.
• • 11. Other situations deemed unsuitable for enrollment by the clinical investigator.