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Dietary Intervention With the Modified Atkins Diet in Stroke Rehabilitation

Phase 1
Completed
Conditions
Stroke
Ischemic Stroke
Interventions
Other: Modified Atkins Diet
Other: Control diet
Registration Number
NCT01820663
Lead Sponsor
Burke Rehabilitation Hospital
Brief Summary

This phase 1 study tests whether use of the Modified Atkins Diet (MAD) can improve motor impairment after stroke. It is based on the hypothesis that after stroke, the brain's utilization of glucose, it's primary source of energy, is disrupted. The MAD is a low-carbohydrate diet that has can switch the body's metabolism from using glucose to using products of fat metabolism, so-called ketones. Ketones may act as an alternative energy substrate for the brain. Ketones also have several neuroprotective effects after stroke.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • Age 18-99
  • First time unilateral hemispheric ischemic stroke. Not more than 12 weeks after acute stroke.
  • Burke Stroke Rehabilitation Unit Inpatient.
  • Preserved cognitive ability to understand commands and participate in outcome measures and to give informed consent. In patients with aphasia, cognitive ability to give consent will be determined by a physician.
  • Upper extremity motor impairment with an UE Fugl Meyer score ≤ 56/66
  • Independence in ADLS/ absence of major impairment prior to stroke
Exclusion Criteria
  • Hemorrhagic stroke
  • Uncontrolled hyperlipidemia with LDL > 250 on admission
  • Uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus with BS > 300 averaged over the first day of admission
  • Nutritional risk as defined by BMI < 18.5 or by a score of 2 or higher on the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (scores BMI, % of unplanned weight loss in last 3-6 months and question whether patient is acutely ill)
  • Decreased renal function with eGFR <30%
  • Stage III and IV pressure ulcers
  • Osteoporosis not sufficiently treated with oral Calcium and Vitamin D supplements
  • CHF as defined by class III or worse
  • Hypersensitivity/allergy to cholesterol lowering medications
  • H/o kidney stones within last 1 year prior to stroke or medications predisposing to kidney stones such as Topamax, carboanhydrase inhibitors
  • Inability to tolerate an oral diet and need for tube feeds
  • Active enrollment in any other interventional studies at Burke; enrollment in observational studies or studies using TMS as a measurement may not pose exclusion criteria
  • Cognitively unable to follow instructions.

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Modified Atkins DietModified Atkins DietPatients will receive a 14 day menu consisting of the Modified Atkins diet, a low-carbohydrate, high protein, high fat diet.
Control DietControl dietPatients will receive a diet (e.g. regular, low cholesterol, diabetic) determined by the attending physician.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer Motor Scoreassessed upon beginning of the study, discharge from Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (average 25 days post study enrollment) and at 3 months post discharge

The Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer Motor Score is used to assess impairment in upper extremity function. Individuals are asked to complete a certain sequence of movements, and quality of movements is scored.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA)assessed upon beginning of the study, discharge from Burke Rehabilitation Hospital (average 25 days post study enrollment) and at 3 months post discharge

The MOCA is an assessment of cognitive impairment and evaluates several cognitive domains.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Burke Rehabilitation Hospital

🇺🇸

White Plains, New York, United States

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