Understanding fatigue after a first ischemic stroke
Official title: Better Understanding of Fatigue After STroke
Run by Brugmann University Hospital · NCT06292377 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project will try to see if measures of heart rhythm, blood tests, and brain scans can explain why adults who recently had a first ischemic stroke develop ongoing fatigue.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 250 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Brugmann University Hospital Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Brussels and 1 other locations) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 7, 2024 |
| Main results expected | December 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | December 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | March 30, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06292377 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (≥18) admitted to CHU Brugmann or UZ Brussel with a first-ever ischemic stroke within 72 hours who can undergo MRI and complete fatigue, cognitive, mood, and sleep assessments in French or Dutch.
✕Probably not a fit
People with prior strokes or other structural brain lesions, severe language impairment or dementia, life expectancy under one year, pregnancy, or who cannot speak French or Dutch are unlikely to benefit from this project.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults with a first-ever ischemic stroke who are admitted within 72 hours to two Brussels stroke units will be enrolled and undergo ECG (for heart rate variability), transthoracic echocardiography, blood sampling, brain MRI, and standardized questionnaires for fatigue, cognition, mood, and sleep. The study will compare early (<3 months) and late (>3 months) post-stroke fatigue and relate symptom patterns to markers of autonomic dysfunction. Researchers will analyze whether altered heart rate variability and other biological markers correlate with persistent fatigue after stroke. No experimental drug or device is being tested; the focus is on physiological and clinical measurements to clarify underlying mechanisms.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could help identify patients at higher risk of post-stroke fatigue and point to new ways to prevent or treat it.
How similar studies have gone: Previous observational work has linked autonomic dysfunction and altered heart rate variability to worse post-stroke outcomes, but interventions to prevent or treat post-stroke fatigue based on these findings remain unproven, so the approach is exploratory.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥ 18 * First-ever (suspicion of) ischemic stroke based on clinical examination and/or brain imaging * Onset \< 72h at time of inclusion * Admitted at the stroke unit of CHU Brugmann and UZ Brussel * Ability to participate in assessment of fatigue, cognitive, mood and sleep disturbances * Ability to undergo MRI of the brain Exclusion Criteria: * Unable to speak French or Dutch * Pre-existing stroke or other structural brain lesion * Life expectancy \< 1 year * Severe language impairment or dementia impeding assessment of fatigue, cognitive, mood and sleep disturbances * Pregnancy or wish to become pregnant
Where it's running
-
CHU Brugmann
Brussels, Belgium Recruiting -
UZ Brussel
Brussels, Belgium Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Anissa Ourtani, MD — CHU Brugmann
- Study coordinator: Anissa Ourtani, MD
- Email: Anissa.OURTANI@chu-brugmann.be
- Phone: 3224754819
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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Deep phenotyping to explore recovery in young adults after stroke
This project will test whether a detailed health and sample-collection approach (deep phenotyping) is practical and acceptable for people aged 18–55 who have had a stroke.
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Stem cell therapy for chronic stroke recovery
This study is testing whether using a patient's own stem cells can help people with long-term stroke recovery feel better and improve their daily functioning.
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AI-based tools to help diagnose, treat and predict stroke outcomes across multiple hospitals
This study tests AI-powered tools on real-world stroke patients to see if they can improve pre-hospital triage, diagnosis, and outcome prediction while data stay securely within each hospital.
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This trial tests whether a mobile telerehabilitation app delivering action observation therapy (AOT) alone or combined AOT with mirror therapy (AOT-MT) can improve upper limb function in people with subacute stroke.
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Remote Ischaemic Conditioning for Fatigue After Stroke 2
Aat least 12 weeks after stroke, adults with post-stroke fatigue will try a simple hand-arm cuff treatment at home to see if it helps reduce fatigue.
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Dual-task balance training plus computer-based cognitive training after stroke
In adults who recently had a stroke, the study tests whether adding computerized cognitive exercises to balance training improves balance and other recovery outcomes.
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.