Impact of Stroke Unit Care on Acute Stroke Outcomes

This observational study is designed to evaluate and compare the recovery outcomes of patients who have experienced their first acute stroke. Specifically, it looks at how receiving care in a specialized Stroke Unit compares to receiving care in a conventional hospital neurology ward.

Researchers will observe 140 adult patients admitted to Assiut University Hospital within 48 hours of their stroke symptoms starting. Patients will be observed in two distinct groups of 70 based on their admission setting:

* Stroke Unit Care: Patients in this group receive care from a specialized, multi-professional team (including vascular neurologists, stroke nurses, neuro-physiotherapists, and clinical pharmacists). They undergo continuous heart and vital sign monitoring for the first 24 to 48 hours, participate in early physical activity protocols, and follow strict guidelines for swallowing checks, temperature control, and blood sugar management. * Conventional Ward Care: Patients in this group receive standard medical care and general nursing management. Their vital signs are checked during routine shifts, and physical therapy is provided only when specifically requested on a case-by-case basis.

The study will track the patients' progress by measuring their independence in daily activities, physical disability levels, and cognitive (thinking) skills. Assessments will happen when they are discharged from the hospital, and then again at 2 weeks, 1 month, 2 months, and 3 months after they go home to evaluate their overall recovery, complications, and mortality rates.

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Key information

Conditions

Acute Stroke Brain Diseases Cardiovascular Diseases Central Nervous System Diseases Cerebrovascular Disorders Hemorrhagic Stroke Ischemic Stroke Nervous System Diseases Stroke Vascular Diseases

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Patients aged ≥ 18 years at the time of presentation.
Confirmed clinical diagnosis of acute first ever stroke (either ischemic or hemorrhagic) supported by objective neuroimaging findings via history case taking and emergency CT or MRI scans.
Hospital admission initiated within 48 hours of initial symptom onset.
Informed consent provided, signed, and dated by the patient or a legally authorized proxy representative.

Exclusion criteria

Diagnosis of a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) or presenting stroke mimics (e.g., complex migraines, severe hypoglycemia, conversion disorders, status epilepticus).
Pre-existing severe functional disability prior to the index stroke event, established as a baseline pre-stroke Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score > 2.
Co-morbid advanced or terminal medical or neurological or psychiatric conditions with a documented clinical life expectancy of less than 6 months.
Incomplete medical charts, structural data gaps, or formal withdrawal on baseline assessment or on hospital stay assessment before discharge.

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Degree of Functional Dependence Using the Barthel Index

Time frame: Baseline (on admission)

The Barthel Index measures a patient's degree of independence in daily activity performance. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher degree of independence (better outcome)
Degree of Functional Dependence Using the Barthel Index

Time frame: 2 weeks post-discharge

The Barthel Index measures a patient's degree of independence in daily activity performance. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher degree of independence (better outcome)
Degree of Functional Dependence Using the Barthel Index

Time frame: 1 month post-discharge

The Barthel Index measures a patient's degree of independence in daily activity performance. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher degree of independence (better outcome)
Degree of Functional Dependence Using the Barthel Index

Time frame: 2 month post-discharge

The Barthel Index measures a patient's degree of independence in daily activity performance. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher degree of independence (better outcome)
Degree of Functional Dependence Using the Barthel Index

Time frame: 3 month post-discharge

The Barthel Index measures a patient's degree of independence in daily activity performance. Possible scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating a higher degree of independence (better outcome)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Assiut University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Stroke Unit Care on Outcome of Acute Stroke Patients

Important dates

Study start: 2026
Primary completion: 2027
Study completion: 2027
First posted: Aug 6, 2026
Registry last updated: Aug 6, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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