Overview
This study will monitor patients during the first year following their stroke.
Stroke is a very serious condition where there is a sudden interruption of blood flow in the brain.
The main aim of the study will be to find out how many of those who experience their first-ever stroke then go on to develop spasticity that would benefit from treatment with medication.
Spasticity is a common post-stroke condition that causes stiff or ridged muscles.
The results of this study will provide a standard guideline on the best way to monitor the development of post-stroke spasticity.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Participant must be aged 18 to 90 years at the time of providing informed consent
- First-ever clinical stroke, defined according to World Health Organization criteria as rapidly developing clinical signs of focal (at times global) disturbance of cerebral function lasting more than 24 hours, within the past 4 weeks;
- Confirmed paresis of the arms and/or legs which does not resolve within 1 day, according to the NIHSS score (a score of > 0 on Question 5 or 6 of the scale) within 2 weeks after the stroke
- Capable of giving informed consent which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the ICF and in this protocol
Exclusion Criteria:
- Upper or lower extremity functional impairment prior to stroke per investigator judgement (e.g., modified Rankin Scale >2);
- Presence of significant/major neurological impairment that might affect muscle tone (other than limb paresis);
- Severe multi-impairment or diminished physical condition before stroke that could have caused paresis/spasticity/motor deficit per investigator judgement;
- Life expectancy of less than 12 months as a result of severity of stroke or other illnesses (e.g. cardiac disease, malignancy, etc.)
- Participation in any interventional study