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Austrian Polyintervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Decline After Ischemic Stroke

Phase 4
Completed
Conditions
Ischemic Stroke
Dementia
Cognitive Decline
Registration Number
NCT01109836
Lead Sponsor
Danube University Krems
Brief Summary

Aim of this randomized controlled study is to test if intensive polyintervention therapy including life style modifications targeting at reduction of modifiable risk factors of stroke can reduce the risk of post-stroke cognitive decline compared to a group of patients receiving standard care.

Detailed Description

Stroke is the second most frequent cause of death and cognitive deficits including dementia occur frequently following a stroke. The frequency of cognitive disturbances has been reported up to 30% and thus occurs three times more frequent than recurrent stroke (10%). Major attempts have been made to prevent the occurrence of new strokes by means of effective strategies including preventive drugs. In contrast, hardly any studies have been performed addressing the prevention of deteriorating cognitive function following a stroke. In spite of this high prevalence therapeutic possibilities are extremely limited. It must be expected that cognitive deficits become even a more frequent disability following stroke. This is caused by the increased aging of the population leading to further increase of incidence, furthermore that more people survive their acute stroke due to increased possibilities of acute treatment, and that frequent risk factors (e.g. hypertension, diabetes) are increasingly controlled, thus leading to less severe strokes with less severe and permanent motor deficits, but an increase of potentially disabling cognitive disturbances. The aim of this randomized controlled study is to test an intensive multiple intervention therapy for the first time in stroke and to add life style modifications targeting modifiable risk factors for cognitive deterioration.

It is hypothesized that the risk of post-stroke cognitive decline can be significantly reduced compared to a control group with standard care when using polyintervention. These interventions will focus on nutrition, exercise, cognitive and social activity and monitoring and management of metabolic and vascular risk factors. Regular contacts with the subjects shall increase motivation and adherence to the study protocol.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
202
Inclusion Criteria
  • Symptomatic ischemic stroke with clinical syndrome of stroke and a corresponding ischemic lesion.
  • MRI or CT results compatible with clinical diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke
  • NIH Stroke Scale Score on admission 1 to 14, both inclusive
  • Modified Rankin Scale before stroke 0 to 2, inclusive
  • Randomization within 3 months after stroke onset (goal: 80% within 3 weeks)
  • Sufficient communication possible
  • Informed consent given by the patient and/or the patient's legally acceptable representative
Exclusion Criteria
  • Substantial cognitive decline (Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score > 24) or pre-existing dementia or Parkinson disease
  • Persistent disturbed level of consciousness
  • Persistent aphasia
  • Pre-existing significant psychiatric diseases (i.e. Schizophrenia, Major Depression, Bipolar Disorders, all according to DSMIV); Patients with minor Depression (DSM IV) can be included
  • Severe sensory impairment making neuropsychological testing impossible
  • Severe comorbidity (e.g. unstable or severe cardiovascular or pulmonal disease, neoplasm, severe liver or renal insufficiency and symptomatic stenosis of the ipsilateral carotid artery, cancer...)
  • Unreliability for follow up
  • Unwillingness or inability to participate or to sign the informed consent

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Number of persons having cognitively declined at 24 months24 months after randomization

Cognitive decline is defined as a significant decline in the composite scores of at least 2 of 5 neuropsychologically tested domains (speed of mental processing, executive functions, working memory, memory, spatial constructive functions). The alpha level for the decision is 0.05.

Cognitive decline measured on the Cognitive Subscale of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) at 24 months24 months after randomization

Difference between the measures at baseline and at 24 months on the Cognitive Subscale of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog).

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Composite outcome for vascular events24 months after randomization

vascular events include recurrent stroke, ACS, bypass surgery, PTA and vascular death

Quality of life on the EQ-5D24 months after randomization
Depression on the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD)24 months after randomization
Cognitive impairment on the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE) scale at 12 months12 months after randomization
Number of persons having cognitively declined 12 months after randomization12 months after randomization

Cognitive decline is defined as a significant decline in the composite scores of at least 2 of 5 neuropsychologically tested domains (speed of mental processing, executive functions, working memory, memory, spatial constructive functions). The alpha level for the decision is 0.05.

Cognitive decline on the Cognitive Subscale of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog) at 12 months12 months after randomization

Difference between the measures at baseline and at 12 months on the Cognitive Subscale of the Alzheimer's disease assessment scale (ADAS-cog).

Cognitive impairment on the Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE) scale at 24 months24 months after randomization
Functional status on the modified Rankin Scale24 months after randomization
All cause mortality24 months after randomization
Neurological status on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score12 months after randomization
Activities of daily living on Barthel Index24 months after randomization
Change in cognitive abilities measured by composite scores for each of 5 cognitive domains24 months after randomization

For each of the five cognitive domains (executive functions, working memory, general memory, speed of cognitive processing, visual spatial ability) standardized composite scores are calculated from the differences between baseline and 24 months in individual neuropsychological test results.

Neurological status on the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)score24 months after randomization

Trial Locations

Locations (5)

Dept of Neurology Landesklinikum Waldviertel Horn / Allentsteig

🇦🇹

Horn, Austria

Dept of Neurology, Landesklinikum Mostviertel Amstetten-Mauer

🇦🇹

Mauer bei Amstetten, Austria

Dept. Neurology, LK St.Pölten

🇦🇹

St. Pölten, Austria

Dept of Neurology, Landesklinikum Donauregion Tulln

🇦🇹

Tulln, Austria

Dept of Neurology, Landesklinikum Wr. Neustadt

🇦🇹

Wr. Neustadt, Austria

Dept of Neurology Landesklinikum Waldviertel Horn / Allentsteig
🇦🇹Horn, Austria

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