NCT07116187

A Pilot Return-to-Work Cognitive Intervention After Stroke

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 100 (estimated)
• Sponsor: National University of Singapore · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study addresses the growing burden of stroke in Singapore and highlights the lack of rehabilitation services for return to work after stroke. Despite functional physical recovery, many stroke survivors experience persistent impairments that hinder return-to-work. To bridge this gap, the study will implement a community-based brain health programme targeting cognitive and vocational outcomes in stroke survivors. Caregivers will also be included due to their critical support role. The study will assess the intervention's feasibility, acceptability, and its impact on cognitive function, return-to-work, neuroplasticity, psychosocial health, fatigue, and self-care.

Detailed description

Stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and the leading cause of adult disability in Singapore. Statistics indicate a concerning rise in young stroke cases. The burden of stroke care is expected to increase exponentially, posing significant challenges to the healthcare system and society. Cognitive impairment after stroke has been documented in up to one-third of stroke survivors. These impairments may be subtle but persistent and progressive even after the stroke survivor appears to have made functional recovery in other areas. Existing services in Singapore for stroke survivors typically target physical and daily functioning outcomes with little focus on cognitive functioning. Moreover, there is a lack of services for stroke survivors who face difficulties in returning to work due to cognitive impairment even when they have achieved optimal physical recovery. An important assessment of a rehabilitation intervention programme is in examining whether it drives positive neuroplasticity, which leads to improved cognitive and functional outcomes. There is presently a dearth of literature in brain mechanisms underlying the impact of cognitive rehabilitation. A community-based brain health intervention, the Train-Your-Brain Stroke Recovery Programme, will be delivered by registered clinical neuropsychologists. Designed to enhance cognitive function and return-to-work outcomes in stroke survivors with mild cognitive impairment, the intervention will be evaluated using a mixed-methods randomized controlled trial. Stroke survivors will be randomized 1:1 into either the intervention or control arm. Caregivers, given their critical support role, will also be recruited to participate in the study. Outcome measures include feasibility of intervention, acceptability of intervention, cognitive function, return-to-work outcomes, changes in biomarkers, neuroimaging findings, psychosocial health, fatigue, and self-care. Outcome measures will be conducted pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Train-Your-Brain (TYB) Stroke Recovery Programme	The intervention involves a structured brain health programme delivered by clinical neuropsychologists in three phases: an initial needs assessment, a multi-session intervention, and follow-up support. Participants will receive assessments, attend group sessions covering topics such as lifestyle, mood, cognition, and return-to-work strategies, and be supported with workbooks and referrals to community services. The programme combines in-person and online formats.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-08
• Primary completion: 2026-08-01
• Completion: 2026-12-31
• First posted: 2025-08-11
• Last updated: 2025-08-26

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Singapore