Research protocol - Assessing Post-Stroke Psychology Longitudinal Evaluation (APPLE) study: A prospective cohort...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Psychology
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Cognitive and mood impairments are key concerns post-stroke, necessitating early screening.
• Current guidelines lack specific methods for evaluating these pre-existing and emerging psychological issues.
• Limited research exists on the optimal timing and tools for assessing psychological changes after stroke.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify optimal methods for evaluating pre-stroke psychological problems.
• To assess the accuracy, feasibility, and acceptability of brief cognitive and mood tests post-stroke.
• To describe temporal changes in cognition and mood and identify predictors of these changes.

Main Methods:

• Established a multi-center, prospective observational cohort (Assessing Post-stroke Psychology Longitudinal Evaluation - APPLE study).
• Recruited patients with acute stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) from 11 UK hospitals.
• Collected baseline data and conducted follow-up evaluations at 1, 6, 12, and 18 months.

Main Results:

• Recruited 357 participants for full follow-up between February 2017 and September 2020.
• Completed 18-month assessments, with provisions for longer-term follow-up.
• Established a participant biobank and database for future research.

Conclusions:

• The APPLE study will inform optimal tool selection for cognitive and mood assessments pre- and post-stroke.
• Provides insights into the prognosis and natural history of neuropsychological issues following stroke.
• Study data, neuroimaging, and biobank are available for future research.