Rise & Shine: Promoting Sleep Quality in Chronic Stroke With Exercise

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA · Feb 20, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The "Rise & Shine" clinical trial is studying how regular exercise can help improve sleep quality in people who have had a stroke and are struggling with poor sleep. Many stroke survivors find it hard to sleep well, which can lead to serious health issues like another stroke or early death. This study aims to see if a specific exercise program, done twice a week over six months, can not only help participants sleep better but also improve their mood, energy levels, heart health, and overall quality of life.

To take part in this study, participants need to be at least 55 years old, have had a stroke over a year ago, and be experiencing poor sleep. They should be able to walk a short distance and have no other serious health conditions that would prevent them from exercising safely. Participants will be closely monitored throughout the trial and can expect to engage in guided exercise sessions designed to promote better sleep and overall well-being. This research is important because it explores how improving sleep can support recovery and health after a stroke.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • We will include community-dwelling adults who had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke at least one year prior to study enrolment and have poor sleep quality - defined as a sleep efficiency of \< 85% and a PSQI global score of \> 5. Individuals must also meet these inclusion criteria: 1) aged 55 years and older; 2) a baseline MMSE score of = or \> 22/30 and a MoCA score of = or \> 19/30; 3) community-dwelling; 4) able to comply with scheduled assessments, classes, and other trial procedures; 5) read, write, and speak English with acceptable visual and auditory acuity; 6) not to start or stable (i.e., = or \> 6 months) on a fixed dose of medication that impacts sleep (i.e., anti-arrhythmics, beta blockers, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, etc.) during the 26-week intervention period; 7) able to walk for a minimum of six metres with rest intervals with or without assistive devices; 8) based on interview, have an activity tolerance of 60 minutes with rest intervals; 9) not participating in any regular therapy or progressive exercise (e.g., treadmill or weight-lifting); and 10) able to safely engage in exercise as indicated by the PAR-Q+63 and written confirmation by family or study physicians.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • We will exclude individuals who: 1) are diagnosed with OSA and are not using CPAP or defined as having OSA as a result of study screening; 2) have restless leg syndrome; 3) are diagnosed with dementia of any type; 4) are diagnosed with another type of neurodegenerative or neurological condition (e.g., Parkinson's disease); 5) are planning to participate, or already enrolled in, a clinical drug trial or exercise trial concurrent to this study; 6) are at high risk for cardiac complications during exercise and/or unable to self-regulate activity or to understand recommended activity level; 7) have clinically significant peripheral neuropathy or severe musculoskeletal or joint disease that impairs mobility, as determined by his/her physician; or 8) have aphasia as judged by an inability to communicate by phone.