Weight Loss and Exercise After Stroke in Obese Adults
Tests weight loss programs and exercise to improve walking in obese stroke survivors.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: EMPOWER: Effects of Weight Loss and Exercise Post-stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Charleston, United StatesSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 35 and 85 years old?
Source: NCT05901675, who can take part
Where in United States
- College of Health ProfessionsCharleston, United StatesTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Medical University of South Carolina
- Trial code
- NCT05901675
- Record updated
- 15 April 2026
- Original description
The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults is ~40% and is projected to climb. It is well documented that obesity is associated with increased levels of disability as well as risk for numerous adverse health-related outcomes; including occurrence of stroke and all-cause mortality. Obesity is highly prevalent in stroke survivors (~30-45% of stroke survivors have BMI>30) and is associated with reductions in physical function and increased disability. Furthermore, neurological sequelae following stroke result in a myriad of residual impairments that contribute to significant reductions in physical activity, which further increase the risk for obesity. The alarmingly high (and increasing) rates of obesity amongst stroke survivors represents an area of critical clinical need and, despite an abundance of information regarding weight loss approaches in neurologically healthy individuals, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of intentional weight loss on overweight and obese survivors of stroke. Thus, the purpose of this study it investigate the effect of varying weight loss approaches on physical function and psychosocial outcomes in chronic stroke survivors.Read full original descriptionShow less
Enhancing Mobility and Psychosocial Function in Obese Veterans Following Stroke Via Weight Loss and ExeRcise (EMPOWER)
The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults is ~40% and is projected to climb. It is well documented that obesity is associated with increased levels of disability as well as risk for numerous adverse health-related outcomes; including occurrence of stroke and all-cause mortality. Obesity is highly prevalent in stroke survivors (~30-45% of stroke survivors have BMI>30) and is associated with reductions in physical function and increased disability. Furthermore, neurological sequelae following stroke result in a myriad of residual impairments that contribute to significant reductions in physical activity, which further increase the risk for obesity. The alarmingly high (and increasing) rates of obesity amongst stroke survivors represents an area of critical clinical need and, despite an abundance of information regarding weight loss approaches in neurologically healthy individuals, there is a lack of information regarding the impact of intentional weight loss on overweight and obese survivors of stroke. Thus, the purpose of this study it investigate the effect of varying weight loss approaches on physical function and psychosocial outcomes in chronic stroke survivors.
Inclusion: age 35-85; stroke at least 6-months prior; residual paresis in the lower extremity (Fugl-Meyer LE motor score <34); ability to walk without assistance and without an AFO during testing and training at speeds ranging from 0.2-0.8 m/s; body mass index (BMI) greater than 25; provision of informed consent. All subjects who meet criteria for training must complete an exercise tolerance test and be cleared for participation by the study physician.
Exclusion: unable to ambulate at least 150 feet prior to stroke, or experienced intermittent claudication while walking; preexisting neurological disorders, dementia or previous stroke; history of congestive heart failure, unstable cardiac arrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, severe aortic stenosis, angina or dyspnea at rest or during ADL's; history of COPD or oxygen dependence; history of major head trauma; legal blindness or severe visual impairment; history of psychosis or other Axis I disorder that is primary; history of DVT or pulmonary embolism within 6 months; uncontrolled diabetes with recent weight loss, diabetic coma, or frequent insulin reactions; severe hypertension with systolic >200 mmHg and diastolic >110 mmHg at rest; history of seizures or currently prescribed anti-seizure medications; life expectancy <1 yr; severe arthritis or other problems that limit passive ROM; current enrollment in a clinical trial to enhance motor recovery; persons with child-bearing potential.