This trial is being organised by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and Norwich Medical School University of East Anglia. If you are in the Lothian, Grampian, Forth Valley or Lanarkshire regions, you may be eligible to take part.
Research already shows us that one in five people who have had a stroke experience some kind of emotional changes afterwards, and for some it can negatively affect the quality of their day-to-day life. Having emotionalism means you may cry, or laugh, without warning, when it is inappropriate, and this is impossible to stop or control.
A commonly prescribed drug called Sertraline has been tested previously to see if it may help with emotionalism after a stroke but only in a few trials. This means doctors do not know yet whether it can help or not. Researchers from the EASE Trial wish to know whether taking 50mg of Sertraline once a day is an effective method for treating post-stroke emotionalism.
By taking part, you will help the researchers understand whether this medication can safely and effectively be used to improve symptoms of emotionalism after stroke, for you and other future stroke survivors.
Participation lasts a year. You will take 50mg of Sertraline or a matched placebo in tablet form, once a day for a period of 6 months, and then 25mg for 1 further month to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms. A doctor will confirm it is safe for you to take part in the trial and you will be carefully monitored throughout with regular follow-up contact with the research nurses.(usually by phone) You will be asked to complete some study questionnaires before taking any trial medication and again at 3, 6 and 12 months.
For more information, please contact the SHARE team at [email protected] or 01382 383471.
