Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional Ages 55 and up

Improving sleep quality in stroke survivors through exercise

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

Run by University of British Columbia · NCT06847074 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is testing if a 26-week exercise program can help stroke survivors sleep better compared to those doing social activities.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
Ages55 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment62 (estimated)
SponsorUniversity of British Columbia
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Vancouver, British Columbia)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 15, 2025
Main results expectedMay 15, 2028
Study endsJune 30, 2028
Registry record updatedJune 11, 2026
Trial IDNCT06847074 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Ideal candidates are community-dwelling adults aged 55 and older who have experienced a stroke at least one year prior and exhibit poor sleep quality.

Probably not a fit

Patients who are not community-dwelling or those who have stable medication regimens affecting sleep may not benefit from this study.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This study investigates the effects of a 26-week multimodal exercise training program on sleep quality in adults who have experienced a stroke at least one year prior. Participants will engage in targeted exercise sessions twice a week, with the aim of improving sleep efficiency as measured by actigraphy. The study also includes a control group that will participate in cognitive and social activities to compare outcomes. The primary focus is to determine if exercise can enhance sleep quality and associated health outcomes in this population.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve sleep quality and overall health outcomes for stroke survivors.

How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown that exercise can improve sleep quality, suggesting potential success for this approach in stroke survivors.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion 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 \< or = 85%, with allowance for minor upward deviations on individual nights consistent with known night-to-night variability and instrument accuracy limits, 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 potentially having undiagnosed OSA (AHI \> 20) 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.

Where it's running

  • Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute Research Pavilion
    Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Recruiting

Study contacts

  • Principal investigator: Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD — University of British Columbia
  • Study coordinator: Teresa Liu-Ambrose, PhD
  • Email: teresa.ambrose@ubc.ca
  • Phone: 604-617-8047

Similar studies

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How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.