Unawareness after stroke
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Incidence and impact of unawareness after stroke
IRAS ID
232168
Contact name
Paul M Jenkinson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Hertfordshire
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 3 days
Research summary
Stroke is a leading cause of disability in the UK. It can cause a range of problems, including paralysis (limb weakness), changes in thinking, and inability to do everyday tasks independently. Awareness of the body can also be affected after a stroke. Some people are unaware that they have had a stroke and may not realise that they have paralysis and cannot function as they did before their stroke (this is called anosognosia). These problems with body awareness are a major barrier to recovery after a stroke. Unfortunately, we still do not know how frequently anosognosia occurs after a stroke, or what changes in mental abilities and the brain cause anosognosia. This study aims to investigate: (i) the frequency (incidence) of anosognosia and related problems with body awareness and how problems with awareness affect recovery, and (ii) the changes in mental abilities and the brain that cause problems with body awareness. We will primarily use data that is collected as part of routine NHS assessments and analyse this to achieve our aims. This includes information on which parts of the brain have been affected (i.e. neuroimaging data), which mental abilities have been affected (i.e. neuropsychological data), what rehabilitation has involved, how well the patient has recovered, and what impact the stroke has had on the everyday life of the patients. We will compare the data from patients with awareness problems and stroke patients who do not have these problems. A better understanding of these issues will help us to predict who is likely to have more problems with recovery after stroke and focus rehabilitation better in the future.
REC name
East of England - Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
19/EE/0271
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jan 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion