RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Cognitive Recovery After Post Stroke Delirium (RECOVER)

The RECOVER study is trying to understand how thinking and memory skills change after a stroke. It focuses on people who experience a temporary state of confusion called delirium after their stroke, comparing them with stroke patients who don't have delirium. Researchers will use special tests and brain scans to look at how these skills recover over three months following the stroke. The aim is to see if having delirium makes a difference to how well people's brains recover after a stroke, which could help in developing better ways to help patients.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

University Hospital Tuebingen

Enrolment target

Start

01 Dec 2023

Estimated completion

01 Nov 2025

Post Stroke Delirium Cognitive Functioning After Stroke

What is this study about?

The 'RECOVER' study (which stands for Cognitive Recovery After Post Stroke Delirium) is looking into how people's thinking and memory skills, often called 'cognitive function', recover after they've had a stroke. A stroke can sometimes lead to a temporary state of severe confusion and disorientation known as delirium. This study aims to find out if experiencing delirium after a stroke affects how well a person's brain skills recover in the longer term.

Researchers will carefully follow two groups of stroke patients: one group who develop delirium after their stroke, and another group who don't. They will check in with these patients three times – once soon after the stroke, again a bit later, and finally three months after the stroke. During these check-ups, they will use special tests that look at different aspects of thinking and memory, and also use advanced brain scans (MRI) to see how the brain is working.

By comparing these two groups, the study hopes to understand if delirium changes the way the brain recovers after a stroke. Finding out more about this could help doctors and other healthcare professionals develop better care plans and support for stroke patients, especially those who experience delirium, to help them recover their thinking and memory skills as best as possible.

Key takeaways

Looks at thinking and memory recovery after stroke.
Compares stroke patients with and without delirium.
Involves special tests and brain scans (MRI).
Study lasts for three months after a stroke.
Aims to improve future stroke care.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be at least 60 years old and have recently had a specific type of stroke called an ischemic stroke. This means your stroke happened no more than 96 hours before you consider joining the study, and you were admitted to the hospital within 48 hours of your stroke starting. You also need to be able to give your agreement to take part, or have a legal guardian who can do so on your behalf.

There are some reasons why you might not be able to join. For example, if you have difficulty speaking (aphasia), or if you already have conditions like dementia or certain mental health problems such as depression or schizophrenia. You also can't take part if you have certain metal implants that would make an MRI scan unsafe, or if your alertness is severely reduced (shown by a low Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less). Another importante point is that if you had delirium before anyone could enrol you in the study, unfortunately you won't be able to participate.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 60 years old or older?
Did you have an ischemic stroke recently (within the last 4 days)?
Do you feel well enough to participate in tests and an MRI scan?
Have you been diagnosed with dementia or certain other mental health conditions?
Do you have any metal implants that make MRI scans unsafe?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have three appointments over a few months. The first two will be in the period shortly after your stroke, and the final one will be about three months later. During these visits, you will undergo special tests to check your memory, attention, and other thinking skills. You will also have a brain scan called an MRI, which uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of your brain. One part of the MRI scan will involve doing a simple task while in the scanner to look at how your brain works. There are no medications involved in this study.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might help us understand more about stroke recovery, which could benefit future stroke patients. While there isn't a direct personal benefit from the study, the information gathered is valuable for improving care. The main activities are tests and MRI scans; MRI scans are generally safe but may involve an enclosed space that some people find uncomfortable. There are no medications involved. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time and for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Department of Neurology, University Hospital Tuebingen
Verified postcode
Tübingen, Germany· Recruiting

Common questions

What is an ischemic stroke?

An ischemic stroke happens when a blood clot blocks blood flow to part of the brain.

What is delirium?

Delirium is a sudden and severe state of confusion, which can often occur after a stroke or a serious illness.

What does 'cognitive functioning' mean?

Cognitive functioning refers to your thinking skills, like memory, paying attention, and problem-solving.

What is an MRI scan?

An MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is a special scan that uses strong magnets to take detailed pictures of the inside of your body, including your brain.

Will I get any medication in this study?

No, this study does not involve taking any new medications.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.