PEARL: Rehabilitation and recovery after atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke
Official title: Prospective Evaluation of Atrial Fibrillation-Related Stroke Patients in Rehabilitation Program (PEARL), an Observational Cohort Study. TARGET: Health Virtual Twins for the Personalised Management of Stroke Related to Atrial Fibrillation".
Run by Parc de Salut Mar · NCT07253974 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will see if adults with atrial fibrillation-related ischemic stroke have different rehabilitation needs and whether higher-intensity inpatient therapy (3–5 sessions/day) leads to better functional recovery at six months than moderate-intensity care (1 session/day).
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 213 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Parc de Salut Mar Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Barcelona) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 11, 2024 |
| Main results expected | November 11, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 1, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | December 15, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07253974 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (over 18) with a first-ever intracerebral ischemic stroke who require inpatient rehabilitation and can participate in the designated rehabilitation programs are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with intracranial hemorrhage, symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation, new infarcts after the initial stroke, or major neurological/psychiatric comorbidities are excluded and unlikely to benefit from these findings.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This is a prospective, non-invasive observational cohort that follows adults discharged from a tertiary stroke unit who require inpatient rehabilitation. Participants are routed to one of two usual-care inpatient rehabilitation programs that differ by intensity (high: 3–5 sessions/day vs moderate: 1 session/day) and receive physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech/swallow therapy as indicated. The main outcome is functional recovery measured at six months, primarily using the Barthel Index, with subgroup comparisons between atrial fibrillation–related ischemic strokes and other ischemic strokes. The study collects baseline clinical and cognitive measures and tracks standard care outcomes without altering treatment decisions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the results could help match rehabilitation intensity to patient needs and improve functional outcomes and resource use after atrial fibrillation-related stroke.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research generally shows that more intensive rehabilitation can improve post-stroke recovery, but differences specific to atrial fibrillation–related ischemic strokes remain largely untested.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:\> 18 a, first-ever intracerebral ischemic stroke \- Exclusion Criteria: * intracranial haemorrhage, symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation, new infarcts after the initial stroke or other neurological or psychiatric conditions.
Where it's running
-
Rehabilitation Research Group, IMIM
Barcelona, Spain Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anna Guillen-Sola, MD, PHd — Research Rehabilitation Group, IMIM
- Study coordinator: Anna Guillen-Sola, MD, PhD
- Email: aguillen@hmar.cat
- Phone: +34659527833
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.