Understanding quality of life and stress in stroke patients and their caregivers
Official title: Cerebrovascular Disease: Quality of Life (CODE: QoL)
Run by University of Zurich · NCT06443268 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 680 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Zurich Academic / other |
| Drugs / interventions | prednisone |
| Locations | 1 site (Zurich, Canton of Zurich) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 27, 2023 |
| Main results expected | April 30, 2028 |
| Study ends | June 30, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | June 5, 2024 |
| Trial ID | NCT06443268 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a 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.
✕Probably 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.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
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.
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 gone: 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.
Who can join: the full rules
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 it's running
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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
Similar studies
Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.
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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.