Improving movement and mental health in obese veterans after a stroke through weight loss and exercise
Official title: Enhancing Mobility and Psychosocial function in Obese Veterans following stroke via Weight loss and ExeRcise (EMPOWER)
Funded at Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center · NIH-11059600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to help veterans who are overweight and have had a stroke by trying out a 15-week program that mixes weight loss and exercise to see which approach works best for their recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charleston, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| NIH project number | 5I01RX004281-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11059600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are obese veterans who have experienced a stroke and are seeking to improve their physical and mental health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not obese or who have not experienced a stroke may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on helping obese veterans who have survived a stroke by implementing a 15-week program that combines weight loss strategies with exercise. The program includes caloric restriction and may involve supervised exercise training to enhance both physical mobility and psychosocial well-being. By comparing the outcomes of participants who engage in both weight loss and exercise versus those who only focus on weight loss, the study aims to identify the most effective methods for improving recovery in this population. Participants will be monitored using activity trackers to assess their progress throughout the program.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved mobility and quality of life for obese veterans recovering from a stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that weight loss interventions can significantly improve health outcomes in neurologically healthy individuals, but this specific approach for stroke survivors is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
Charleston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gregory, Chris — Ralph H Johnson VA Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Gregory, Chris
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Weight loss and exercise to improve mobility and well-being after stroke in obese veterans
A study tests whether adding weight loss with or without supervised exercise can help improve physical function and quality of life for obese veterans recovering from stroke.
-
Helping people with PAD and obesity improve walking and prevent mobility loss
This research explores if combining weight loss with walking exercise can better improve walking ability for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD) who are also overweight or obese.
-
Helping obese patients with Peripheral Artery Disease maintain their mobility through weight loss
This research helps obese patients with Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) lose weight to keep them moving and active.
-
Stroke prevention with hydroxyurea for children with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria
A multinational, patient-facing study tests whether hydroxyurea can safely prevent first strokes in Nigerian children with sickle cell anemia.
-
Music-powered tools to boost blood pressure and stroke prevention for Nigerian youth and their older caregivers
This project uses popular music to help Nigerian youths and their older family members start and stick to blood pressure and stroke prevention habits.
-
Determinants of Post-Stroke Cognitive Outcomes and Vascular Effects on Recovery
A large, multi-site effort aims to understand why some stroke survivors develop long-term cognitive problems and dementia, and how vascular health and pre-existing brain changes influence recovery.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.