Northern Region Stroke
Network Group

Aim: This is a three-year project (2019-2022) consisting of three inter-linked objectives to provide the most recent and up-to-date evidence base for measuring stroke burden in New Zealand. The overarching aim of this study is to reliably determine trends in stroke incidence, prevalence and outcomes for a fifth 10-year time point. This is the fifth ARCOS Study in the ARCOS series.

Who: The study is for all people in the Greater Auckland Region who experience a new stroke or TIA within the study period, both hospitalised and non-hospitalised, fatal and non-fatal.

What: All health professionals in the stroke and related fields and community health professionals are requested to refer any known or suspected stroke and TIA cases occurring between 1st March 2020 to 31st August 2021 to the study team.

Where: The study is hosted by AUT University.

Contact: Assoc.Prof Rita Krishnamurthi, AUT University

rita.krishnamurthi@aut.ac.nz, ph:09 921 9999 x7890, Mob:021556071

or

Mr Bala Nair, ARCOS V Study Manager

bnair@aut.ac.nz, ph:09 921 9999 x6915

Aim: The aim of this study is to test the validity and reliability of several clinical assessments of hand and arm sensation and coordination.

Who: This study is for people aged 18 and older who have experienced a stroke at least 6 months ago, and still have altered sensation in their hand or arm.

What: Hand and arm movement and coordination will be tested by two assessors, in two sessions at least a week apart. Each session lasts approximately 45 minutes.

Where: Assessments take place either at the University of Auckland Grafton campus, or at the participant’s home if preferred.

Contact: Harry Jordan, University of Auckland

H.jordan@auckland.ac.nz

021 2056 009

Aim: The aim of this study is to see whether vibration feedback can help people walk more symmetrically after stroke.

Who: This study is for people aged at least 18 who experienced a stroke at least 6 months ago and experience ongoing problems with their walking.

People can take part if they have had any type of stroke, provided it affected only one side of their body, and they can walk for a few minutes at a time.

Using walking sticks and ankle braces is ok, but this study isn’t suitable for people who need to use a walking frame.

What: The first session takes a couple of hours and involves walking for short periods on a treadmill while measurements are made.

Participants might also be asked to participate in further training sessions, to see if the feedback can produce long-term improvements in walking.

Where: This session takes place at the Millennium Institute in Albany, and transport is provided if needed.

Contact: Dr Marie-Claire Smith, University of Auckland

m-c.smith@auckland.ac.nz

021 0232 3351

Aim: The aim of this study is to see whether mindfulness training can be used by people with stroke to reduce depression and anxiety, and improve their quality of life.

Who: This study is for people aged at least 17 who experienced a stroke between 6 months and 10 years ago, and are now experiencing low mood.

What: The first session involves completing some questionnaires, which takes around an hour.

Then a therapist meets with participants for one hour each week, for six weeks, for mindfulness training.

At the end of that period, participants take part in an interview and complete another set of questionnaires.

This is followed four weeks later by a top-up mindfulness session and a final set of questionnaires.

Where: In the participant’s home, in the Auckland area

Contact: Dr Jill Wrapson, Auckland University of Technology

jill.wrapson@aut.ac.nz

09 921 9999 Extension 7421

Aim:The aim of the study is to validate an algorithm for predicting whether and when a person will be able to walk independently again after stroke.

Who: This study is for people with stroke admitted to Auckland, North Shore, and Waitakere Hospitals, who are having difficulty walking.

The study is appropriate for people aged at least 18, who were walking independently before the stroke, and participation begins within the first week after stroke.

People can take part if they have any type of stroke, provided it affects only one side of the body. They can also take part if they have a previous stroke.

What: The effects of the stroke on the movement areas of the brain are also assessed using non-invasive stimulation and an MRI scan within a week after stroke.

Strength and movement of the legs is evaluated using simple clinical assessments within a week after stroke, and again 3 and 6 months after stroke.

Phone calls are also made between these assessments, to see how well the person is walking.

Where: Assessments take place at Auckland Hospital while the person is an inpatient, with brief follow-up phone calls every couple of weeks once the person has been discharged.

The follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months after stroke take place at home or at Auckland Hospital, and transport is provided if needed.

Contact: Dr Marie-Claire Smith, University of Auckland

m-c.smith@auckland.ac.nz

021 0232 3351

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the recovery of sensation and movement in the hand and arm after stroke.

Who: This study is for people with stroke admitted to Auckland Hospital, with sensory loss in their hand or arm.

The study is suitable for people aged at least 18, and participation begins within the first week after stroke.

People can take part if they have any type of stroke, provided it affects only one side of the body.

What: Sensation and movement of the hand and arm are assessed weekly to fortnightly while you are recovering, and at 3 and 6 months after stroke.

The assessments take up to a couple of hours, and involve testing sensitivity to light touch, the ability to detect the position of the wrist and fingers, and the ability to make simple movements.

The effects of the stroke on the sensory and movement areas of the brain are also assessed using non-invasive stimulation and an MRI scan.

Where: Assessments take place at Auckland Hospital while the person is an inpatient, and at their home once they are discharged.

The assessments at 3 and 6 months after stroke take place at the Hospital, and transport is provided if needed.

Contact: Benjamin Chong, University of Auckland

Ben.chong@auckland.ac.nz

021 081 67971

Aim: The aim of this study is to see whether it is feasible to use the Re-Link Gait Trainer during rehabilitation for walking after stroke.

Who: This study is for people aged at least 18 who experienced a stroke within the last month and experience ongoing problems with their walking.

People can take part if they have had any type of stroke, provided it affected only one side of their body, and they can stand with assistance if needed.

What: Taking part involves trying the Re-Link Trainer and giving feedback about it to the therapists.

Leg strength and walking ability will also be assessed, during rehabilitation, and 4, 8, and 12 weeks after stroke.

Where: The study will take place at Auckland Hospital while people are in rehabilitation.

Follow-up assessments will take place at the Newmarket Campus of the University of Auckland. Transport will be provided if needed.

Contact: Claire Valentine, Auckland DHB

cvalentine@adhb.govt.nz

021 683 258

Aim: The aim of this pilot study is to see whether people with stroke can improve their thinking skills with a computerised cognitive rehabilitation program.

Who: This study is for adults whose cognition is impaired after stroke.

Taking part starts within a week of the stroke.

People can take part if they have access to the internet with a computer or tablet at home.

What: People who take part will be randomly assigned to either computerised cognitive rehabilitation or usual care.

People in the computerised rehabilitation group will be given access to Rehacom (www.rehacom.com).

This programme is designed to train and improve attention, memory, visuo-spatial processing, and executive functions.

The programme involves 30 minutes of training, 5 times per week for 6 weeks.

People in the usual care group will receive standard rehabilitation therapy for their cognition.

Where: This study is based at North Shore Hospital.

Contact: Dr Susan Mahon, AUT University

smahon@aut.ac.nz

021 955 806

Aim: whether we can reduce fatigue and improve quality of life after stroke.

Who: This study is for people aged at least 18 who experienced a stroke within the past 3 - 24 months and experience ongoing problems with fatigue.

People can take part if they have had any kind of stroke/s in the past, they live in the Auckland or Waikato regions, and they can hold a conversation in English.

What: The study involves attending one or more education sessions with 5-6 other people who have also had a stroke.

Where: Group sessions take place in local centres, such as hospitals and community centres.

Assessments take place at home or other suitable locations.

Contact: Dr Kelly Jones, Auckland University of Technology

faster@aut.ac.nz

021 246 0587

Aim: The aim of this study is to test the reliability of hand and arm assessments performed remotely to see if they are a practical alternative to in-person assessments.

Who: This study is for people aged 18 and older who have experienced a stroke at least 6 months ago, and still have weakness in their hand or arm. A friend or family member will need to be available to help during the remote assessments.

What: Hand and arm movement will be assessed during one in-person session and two remote sessions performed during a videocall using mobile phones.

The in-person assessment will take approximately 30 minutes and each remote assessment will take approximately 15 minutes.

Where: The in-person assessment takes place either at the University of Auckland Grafton campus, or at the participant’s home if preferred.

The remote assessments will take place during a videocall using mobile phones while you are at your home and the researcher is at their office.

Contact: Harry Jordan, University of Auckland

H.jordan@auckland.ac.nz

021 2056 009