SwissNeuroRehab HDHI — High-Dose, High-Intensity Stroke Rehabilitation Program

SwissNeuroRehab - High Dose High Intensity Neurorehabilitation Along the Continuum of Care

This program tests whether a structured, device-supported high-dose, high-intensity therapy plan can improve motor recovery for adults with subacute or chronic stroke across inpatient, outpatient, and home settings in Switzerland.

Quick facts

• Phase: Not applicable
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 120 (estimated)
• Ages: 18 Years to 85 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois (Academic / other)
• Locations: 5 sites (Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne and 4 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT07427511 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This is a multicentre, non-randomised interventional feasibility project run within the SwissNeuroRehab network that implements a structured high-dose, high-intensity (HDHI) therapy pathway using CE‑marked digital neurorehabilitation tools. The pathway is designed for delivery across inpatient, outpatient, and home environments at several Swiss rehabilitation centres. Adults with ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke who can sit unassisted and have upper and/or lower limb motor difficulties are enrolled and asked to commit to a daily training dose and program length. Feasibility measures and preliminary clinical outcomes are collected at the start and end of the program to inform wider implementation.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Adults aged 18–85 with a confirmed ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke more than 7 days prior who can sit unassisted, have motor difficulties in an arm or leg, and are willing to commit to the program and assessments are the ideal candidates.

Not a fit: Patients with severe cognitive impairment, uncontrolled seizures, severe neglect, plegia of the affected limb, or other medical conditions that limit safe participation are unlikely to benefit from this program.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could accelerate and increase motor recovery and daily-function gains after stroke by delivering a higher, technology-supported therapy dose across care settings.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research on high-dose, high-intensity and device-assisted neurorehabilitation has shown promising motor improvements, though large-scale real-world implementation across care settings remains less established.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

* Adults aged 18-85 years.
* Confirmed diagnosis of stroke (ischemic or hemorrhagic) \>7 days ago
* Be able to sit unassisted
* Able and willing to give informed consent
* Have motor difficulties of the Upper Extremity and/or Lower Extremity
* Willing to commit to program length \& daily training dose
* Willing to have assessments at start and end of program
* Signed informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

* Severe cognitive impairment
* Uncontrolled seizure disorder or epilepsy - clinician's judgement)
* Any medical condition that would compromise their safety (inability to communicate, vision or hearing impairment, heart condition that limits participation in exercise) and tolerability (cardiac contraindications)
* Pain that would limit rehabilitation dose
* Severe apraxia
* Severe memory disorder
* Severe hemispatial neglect
* Plegia of the affected limb

Where this trial is running

Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne and 4 other locations

• Lake Lucerne Institute — Vitznau, Canton of Lucerne, Switzerland (Not_yet_recruiting)
• Klinik Valens — Valens, Canton of St. Gallen, Switzerland (Recruiting)
• Centre hospitalier universitaire Vaudois — Lausanne, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland (Recruiting)
• Swiss Réhabilitation Sàrl — Sullens, Canton of Vaud, Switzerland (Recruiting)
• Universitätspital Zürich — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Not_yet_recruiting)

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Olivier Bill, MD

Conditions Stroke; high dose; intensive therapy