RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Optimizing Recruitment to Drive Equitable Research Opportunity in Stroke Rehabilitation Trials in Canada

This study is looking at better ways to encourage more people to take part in research about stroke recovery, especially groups often missed out, like women and those with speaking difficulties after a stroke (aphasia). Stroke is a major health issue, and research helps us find better treatments. However, many studies don't include enough women or people with aphasia. This means the research might not fully apply to everyone with a stroke. This study will test a new, supportive way of explaining research, using videos and easy-to-understand leaflets, alongside traditional methods. This will help researchers understand how to make it simpler for all stroke survivors to join studies, ensuring future treatments work for everyone.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

McMaster University

Enrolment target

120

Start

16 Jun 2025

Estimated completion

30 Jun 2027

Stroke

What is this study about?

Stroke can have a big impact on a person's life, and many people in Canada are affected. Research is really important to help us understand the best ways to recover from a stroke and improve treatments. However, sometimes certain groups of people are not included enough in these recovery studies. For example, it's often harder for women to join than men, and people who have difficulty with speaking after a stroke (this is called aphasia) are also often left out. This can mean that the research findings don't give a full picture of how treatments work for everyone who has had a stroke.

This study, called ORDER (Optimizing Recruitment to Drive Equitable Research), is trying to change that. It's looking into friendly and supportive ways to help more people understand what a research study involves and decide if they want to take part. Researchers are trying out special videos and easy-to-read leaflets, designed especially for women and people with aphasia, alongside the usual information given out. This way, they hope to make it less confusing and overwhelming to consider joining a study.

Ultimately, the goal is to make sure that future stroke research includes a wider variety of people. If more people from different backgrounds take part, the results of the research will be much more useful for everyone affected by stroke. This means that any new treatments or therapies developed will be more likely to help all stroke survivors, leading to better care for everyone.

Key takeaways

Aims to include more diverse stroke survivors in research.
Focuses on improving how study information is shared.
Uses videos and clear leaflets to help understanding.
Particularly helps women and people with speaking difficulties.
Your participation helps develop better future stroke care.

Who may be eligible?

To be considered for this study, you would need to have had a specific type of stroke called an ischemic anterior circulation stroke. You should be at least 18 years old and no more than 8 weeks will have passed since your stroke when you start the study. You will also need to have some weakness on one side of your body (hemiparesis) that requires rehabilitation in a hospital, and someone available to help you with your daily exercises and transportation if needed.

There are also some reasons why you might not be able to join. These include having serious health conditions before your stroke like dementia, certain kidney or liver problems, or a history of cancer that might affect your survival for the next year. You also can't join if you've had seizures linked to your stroke or have ongoing epilepsy. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or could become pregnant and are not using effective contraception, you cannot take part. Additionally, certain medications you might be taking, like some for seizures, infections, or even St. John's Wort, would prevent you from joining.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have you had an ischemic 'anterior circulation' stroke?
Are you aged 18 or over?
Are you between 5 days and 8 weeks post-stroke?
Do you need rehabilitation for weakness on one side of your body?
Do you have someone who can help with daily exercises and transport, if needed?
Are you NOT pregnant or breastfeeding, and using effective contraception if you could become pregnant?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, your involvement would be for a short period after your stroke, roughly between 5 days and 8 weeks. You'll be assigned by chance to one of two groups. One group will receive the usual detailed information about a stroke recovery study, while the other group will get this traditional information alongside a special video and leaflet designed to be easier to understand for women and people with speaking difficulties. This study is testing these communication methods, not a new stroke treatment itself.

Your participation would involve understanding the information presented and deciding whether to participate in the main stroke recovery trial that these recruitment methods are supporting. There will be no extra visits or assessments directly related to this 'recruitment' study. The total duration of your direct involvement in *this specific* study (ORDER) is only for the process of understanding and deciding about the main trial. If you then choose to join the *main* trial, that would involve separate commitments, such as taking a medication (Maraviroc or a dummy pill) and doing 8 weeks of rehabilitation, with follow-up appointments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could potentially benefit future stroke patients by helping researchers find better ways to include everyone in important studies, leading to more effective treatments that work for a wider range of people. For you personally, there are no direct medical benefits, as this study is about how information is given, not about treating your stroke. There are very few direct risks associated with this specific study (ORDER), as it mainly involves receiving information in different ways. However, as with any research, understanding new information when you are recovering from a stroke might feel tiring. You are always free to change your mind and withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (5)

University of Calgary & Foothills Medical Centre
Verified postcode
Calgary, Canada· Recruiting
University of British Columbia & GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre
Verified postcode
Vancouver, Canada· Recruiting
Dalhousie University
Verified postcode
Halifax, Canada· Recruiting
Parkwood Institute
Verified postcode
London, Canada· Recruiting
Toronto Rehabilitation Institute - University Health Network
Verified postcode
Toronto, Canada· Not yet recruiting

Common questions

What is the main goal of this study?

The main goal is to find better ways to help more stroke survivors, especially women and those with speaking difficulties, understand and join stroke recovery research.

Am I being given a new treatment in this study?

No, this specific study is not testing a new stroke treatment. It's looking at how information about a different stroke recovery trial is presented to potential participants.

What does 'aphasia-friendly' mean?

'Aphasia-friendly' means the information is designed to be easy to understand for people who have difficulty with speaking, reading, or writing after a stroke.

What if I decide I don't want to take part after I start?

You are absolutely free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, and it will not affect your medical care.

Will I have to travel a lot for this study?

This study is focused on how information is given. There are no additional visits to clinics or hospitals specifically for this part of the study.

How to find out more

Ada Tang, PT PhD

atang@mcmaster.ca 289-426-5768 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.