Vestibular exercises to reduce fatigue after stroke
The Effect of Vestibular Exercise Program on Fatigue, Balance and Gait in Patients With Stroke
This trial will test whether adding vestibular exercises to rehab can reduce tiredness in adults who had an anterior circulation stroke at least six months ago.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Hacettepe University Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Ankara and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06956183 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The trial compares a vestibular exercise program with conventional rehabilitation in people living with chronic stroke, using one-hour sessions three times per week. Participants will be assessed for perceived and physiologic fatigue before and after the intervention, with additional measures of balance and gait. Eligible volunteers are adults aged 18–65 with an anterior circulation stroke at least six months earlier, able to ambulate (Functional Ambulation Classification stage 3 or higher) and with MoCA ≥22. People with other medical conditions causing fatigue, severe aphasia, or taking medications that affect cognition or fatigue are excluded.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults 18–65 with an anterior circulation stroke at least six months ago who can walk (FAC stage 3 or higher), have a MoCA score of at least 22, and can attend clinic sessions are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: Patients with other medical or orthopedic conditions causing primary fatigue, severe aphasia, or those taking medications that alter cognition or fatigue are unlikely to benefit from these specific exercises.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, vestibular exercises could reduce how tired patients feel and help speed functional recovery during rehabilitation.
How similar studies have performed: Vestibular rehabilitation has documented benefits for balance and dizziness, but using vestibular exercises specifically to reduce post-stroke fatigue is a relatively novel and limited-evidence approach.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Volunteering to participate in the study Being between the ages of 18-65 Having had an anterior circulation stroke at least 6 months ago Being at least stage 3 according to the Functional Ambulation Classification Scoring at least 22 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale Exclusion Criteria: * Having another orthopedic, neurological or other systemic disease that prevents working Having severe aphasia Having a disease other than stroke that causes primary fatigue Using medication that will affect cognitive status Using medication that will affect fatigue
Where this trial is running
Ankara and 1 other locations
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Not_yet_recruiting)
- Hacettepe University — Ankara, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Ayla Fil Balkan, Assoc Prof
- Email: aylafil@gmail.com
- Phone: +903123051572
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.