EMPOWER: Effects of Weight Loss and Exercise Post-stroke (NCT05901675)
🩺 Plain-English Summary (8th-Grade Level)
The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults is \~40% and is projected to climb. It is well documented that obesity is associated with increased levels of disability as well as risk for numerous adverse health-related outcomes; including occurrence of stroke and all-cause mortality. Obesity is highly prevalent in stroke survivors (\~30-45% of stroke survivors have BMI\>30) and is associated with reductions in physical function and increased disability. Furthermore, neurological sequelae following stroke result in a myriad of residual impairments that contribute to significant reductions in physical activity, which further increase the risk for obesity. The alarmingly high (and increasing) rates of obesity amongst stroke survivors represents an area of critical clinical need and, despite an abundance of information regarding weight loss approaches in neurologically healthy individuals, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of intentional weight loss on overweight and obese survivors of stroke. Thus, the purpose of this study it investigate the effect of varying weight loss approaches on physical function and psychosocial outcomes in chronic stroke survivors.
Who can join: To join this study, participants generally need to meet the listed inclusion criteria (6 items) and avoid the listed exclusions (16 items).
Location: College of Health Professions — Charleston, South Carolina
📋 "Do I Qualify?" — 1-Minute Self Screener
Instant ChecklistCheck every box below. If you can check all of them, you may meet the study's basic screening requirements (final eligibility is confirmed by the site team).
Usually NOT eligible if any of the following apply:
- Exclusion Criteria:
- unable to ambulate at least 150 feet prior to stroke, or experienced intermittent claudication while walking
- history of congestive heart failure, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during ADL's
- history of COPD or oxygen dependence
- preexisting neurological disorders, dementia or previous stroke
- history of major head trauma
- legal blindness or severe visual impairment
- history of psychosis or other Axis I disorder that is primary
- life expectancy \<1 yr
- severe arthritis or other problems that limit passive ROM
- history of DVT or pulmonary embolism within 6 months
- uncontrolled diabetes with recent weight loss, diabetic coma, or frequent insulin reactions
🔍 Extracted verbatim from the official NIH eligibility criteria. Always confirm with the study coordinator.
📍 All Participating Trial Locations (1 Sites)
- College of Health Professions — Charleston, South Carolina
💰 Cost, Insurance & Patient Rights
- 100% Free Items: The investigational treatment and protocol-required procedures are supplied at zero cost by the sponsor.
- Routine Patient Care: Under federal law (ACA § 2709) and many state statutes, routine care costs are covered during participation.
- Voluntary Participation: You may withdraw at any time without affecting your standard medical care.