The Canadian Maraviroc Randomized Controlled Trial To Augment Rehabilitation Outcomes After Stroke

To be part of this study, you would generally need to have had a specific type of stroke (called an ischemic stroke) that affected the front part of your brain. You must be at least 18 years old and have had your stroke no less than 5 days ago, but no more than 8 weeks ago, when you start the medication.

You would also need to have some weakness on one side of your body (hemiparesis) that means you need rehabilitation in hospital. It's important that you have someone who can help you with your daily exercises and with getting to appointments if needed. You also need to understand the study information and be able to follow instructions during therapy sessions. There are also specific checks on how much movement you have in your shoulder, fingers, hip, or leg.

You wouldn't be able to join if you had difficulties before your stroke that meant you needed a lot of help, or if you have certain health conditions like dementia, serious liver or kidney problems, or cancer that could affect your ability to take part or your survival. The study also cannot include pregnant or breastfeeding women, or those taking certain seizure medications.

If you decide to take part in this study, you would begin within 8 weeks of your stroke. You would be assigned to one of two groups: one group receives the active drug Maraviroc, and the other receives a dummy pill (placebo). Neither you nor your doctors would know which you are receiving, as this is a 'blinded' study.

Both groups will take part in an 8-week daily exercise programme, on top of any standard recovery care you're already getting. You'll have several assessments scheduled: at the beginning of the study, after 4 weeks of treatment, after 8 weeks of treatment, and then again 6 months after your stroke. These assessments will involve checks of your physical abilities, your thinking skills, and you'll wear special sensors on your wrist and ankle to monitor your activity. You'll also do short tests to see how quickly you learn new movements, both during your formal appointments and again within 72 hours afterwards, to see how well you remember what you've learned. The total duration of active participation receiving medication and daily exercise is 8 weeks, with follow-up appointments extending to 6 months.