Understanding quality of life and stress in stroke patients and their caregivers
Cerebrovascular Disease: Quality of Life (CODE: QoL)
This study looks at how stroke affects the quality of life and stress levels in both patients and their caregivers to see how they compare to people without stroke.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 680 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Trial ID | NCT06443268 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This observational study aims to investigate the quality of life, stress levels, and caregiver burden in stroke patients and their caregivers. Participants will complete questionnaires and provide hair samples to measure stress hormones, alongside consenting to the use of their clinical and laboratory data. The study will compare these participants to a control group without stroke to establish a baseline for quality of life and stress factors. The research will be conducted over 12 months, with sequential measurements to uncover relationships between patient impairments and the quality of life of both patients and caregivers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include adults over 18 years old who have experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack within the last 28 days, along with their caregivers.
Not a fit: Patients who have had a stroke more than three years ago or those with significant disabilities may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved support and interventions for stroke patients and their caregivers, enhancing their quality of life.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is novel in Switzerland, similar studies in other regions have successfully explored the relationship between quality of life and stress in stroke patients.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Control group: Inclusion criteria: * over 18 years old * No previous stroke OR previous stroke \>3 years ago * No significant disability (maximum mRS 1) * ambulatory patients at the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ), Dept. of Neurology * Patients' AND caregiver's ability to give informed consent * Patients' AND close relative's / caregiver's willingness to participate Exclusion criteria: • Medication with steroid hormones (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone etc.) within last 3 months Main Group: Inclusion criteria: * over 18 years old * Patients diagnosed with either transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and their caregivers * Caregiver of a patient as described above, age over 18 years * Hospitalized or ambulatory patients at the University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) included within 28 days from event. * Patients' AND caregiver's ability to give informed consent * Patients' AND caregiver's willingness to participate Exclusion criteria: • Medication with steroid hormones (prednisone, prednisolone, dexamethasone, methylprednisolone, hydrocortisone etc.) within last 3 months
Where this trial is running
Zurich, Canton of Zurich
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Zurich — Zurich, Canton of Zurich, Switzerland (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Susanne Wegener, MD — University of Zurich
- Study coordinator: Anton Schmick, MD
- Email: anton.schmick@usz.ch
- Phone: +41442551111
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.