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120 active trials for Stroke Acute

Exercise and RIC and TCD

The first week after a stroke is a particularly important time, as improving blood flow may limit secondary ischaemic damage to the brain and help reduce the overall burden neurological injury and future disability. Small studies in patients with stroke have shown that moderate aerobic exercise increases blood flow to the brain, however, no studies have evaluated the safety of aerobic exercise within the first week after stroke, nor whether it results in changes to cerebral blood flow. Remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) is when ischaemia is induced to a limb for short periods of time by inflating pressure cuffs around arms or legs to above systolic pressures (mmHg). This procedure is performed for periods that avoid physical injury to the limbs, but induce neurohormonal, systemic or vascular changes in the body. These changes often result in improved blood supply to various areas of the body. The use of RIC in the acute period after stroke is currently being investigated in a number of large randomised controlled trials e.g. RECAST, RESIST, however, our understanding of how RIC actually works is incomplete. Importantly, there is scarce data on the acute effects of RIC on cerebral blood flow (CBF), a potentially pivotal mechanism behind its effects. We propose an exploratory study to evaluate whether it is feasible, acceptable and safe to undertake low and moderate intensity aerobic exercise or remote ischaemic conditioning (RIC) in patients during the acute period after stroke, and whether either of these interventions result in changes to cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFv) in the major cerebral arteries. We will compare any changes to those in a cohort of healthy volunteers.

Start: June 2019
Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in Muscle Architecture and Functionality of Patients After Acute Stroke

Introduction: Stroke is a sudden illness, responsible for important neurological and cognitive sequelae that can result in functional limitations and dependence. It is the leading cause of neurological impairment in young adults and resting-related muscle loss is one of the major factors involved. Early rehabilitation is essential for these patients and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) has been identified as an intervention alternative due to its known effects on the prevention of muscle loss in patients with various pathologies. Objective: To evaluate the effects of NMES associated with conventional physiotherapy compared to conventional physiotherapy on muscle thickness and functionality of patients with acute stroke. Methodology: This is a randomized clinical trial, which will be performed at the Emergency and Unit Unit of the Stroke of the Hospital de Clínicas of Porto Alegre (HCPA). Patients with acute stroke, with up to 72 hours of hospital admission, who present with lower limb force deficit due to the current stroke will be included. Patients will be randomized into two groups: intervention group, who will receive the application of NMES associated with conventional physiotherapy and control group, who will receive the conventional physiotherapy of the HCPA. NMES training will be applied once a day (30 minutes of application per session with an increase of five minutes each week and gradual reduction in OFF time), five days a week until hospital discharge or up to a maximum of three weeks. The following outcomes will be assessed before and after the intervention: quadriceps and tibial thickness and quality of the quadriceps and tibialis anterior, muscle strength, stroke severity, gait, functionality and disability.

Start: August 2019