Clinical Research Directory

Benson Relaxation for Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia After Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Many patients experience anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances in the early recovery phase, which can slow rehabilitation. Medications for mood symptoms may have side effects, especially in acute stroke patients. Benson Relaxation Technique (BRT) is a non-pharmacological mind-body intervention involving breathing exercises, muscle relaxation, and guided imagery.This multicenter, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the short-term effects of BRT on anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and prefrontal brain function in patients 7-14 days after ischemic stroke. A total of 84 participants will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either the BRT group or a structured health education active control group. Interventions will be delivered twice daily for 20 minutes over 14 days.Outcomes will be assessed at baseline (T0) and post-intervention (T1, day 14). Assuming a 10-12% dropout rate, approximately 10 participants will withdraw, leaving 74 participants (37 per group) to complete the study and be included in the final analysis. The primary outcomes are the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-A and HADS-D) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Secondary outcomes include the Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) and resting-state functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) metrics.

Effects of Robotic Rehabilitation on Quality of Life, Mood, and Fatigue After Stroke

Stroke is a major cause of long-term disability and is often associated with reduced quality of life, depression, anxiety, and fatigue. Rehabilitation plays a key role in recovery, and robotic-assisted gait training provides intensive, repetitive, and individualized therapy. However, its effects on psychological outcomes and quality of life are not fully established. This randomized controlled trial will compare conventional rehabilitation combined with robotic-assisted gait training to conventional rehabilitation combined with treadmill training in stroke survivors. Both groups will receive treatment 5 days per week for 6 weeks. Assessments will be conducted at baseline, after 6 weeks of treatment, and at 3 months after treatment. The primary outcome is quality of life. Secondary outcomes include depression, anxiety, and fatigue. The results of this study will provide new evidence on the benefits of robotic rehabilitation for improving both physical and psychological well-being after stroke.