Sleep and Rehabilitation After Stroke

Our research

Inpatient Study: We measured sleep quality in people receiving rehabilitation after brain injury. The results are published in the journal 'Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair'. Read a summary of our findings.

Outpatient Study: We investigated sleep quality in a group of community dwelling stroke and brain injury survivors. The results are published in the journal 'Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair'. Read a summary of our findings.

Sleepio Feasibility: We explored the feasibility of using the online sleep improvement programme 'Sleepio' in a group of community dwelling stroke survivors. The results were published in the journal 'Brain Injury'. Read a summary of our findings. 

INSPIRES Study: We investigated if stroke survivors using an online CBT experience had greater improvements in their sleep than people who are given a brochure about sleep hygiene. The results were published in the 'Journal of Sleep Research'. Read a summary of our findings.  

NEWSLETTER

The wider stroke recovery research hub have a newsletter which provides updates about completed and on-going research that investigates stroke. You can see the current and past issues of the newsletter, and sign-up to the mailing list.  

OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE PART IN CURRENT RESEARCH

INSPIRES-2 Study
Improving sleep and learning in rehabilitation after stroke, part 2

Have you had a stroke that left you with some difficulties moving your hand or arm? Do you have difficulty sleeping? Are you interested in accessing a programme which may help improve your sleep?

Researchers at the University of Oxford are looking for volunteers to take part in research involving an online programme for sleep improvement and to understand how this impacts movement learning. All study procedures are conducted in your home, there is no need to visit the University. 

You can read the participant information sheet, which provides full details of what is involved.

If you would like to find out more about the study or if you have any questions, please get in contact with Dr Melanie Fleming or Barbara Robinson:

Email: sleep-win@ndcn.ox.ac.uk 

Phone: 07864800761 or  01865 611 461

Ethics ref: 22/EM/0080, IRAS ID: 306291; Version 1.1, 11/04/2022

SleepStim Study

We are looking for:

• Healthy adults, aged 40 years and over

AND

• Stroke survivors

for a home-based study measuring brain activity during sleep. 

For more information, please contact Triin:

Email: sleep-win@ndcn.ox.ac.uk.

 Ethics Ref: R79095/RE002; Version 2.0 - 07/02/2023

SeRCLES
Stimulating brain rhythms during sleep

We are looking for healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years of age, for a study investigating how a safe and painless type of brain stimulation affects our sleep patterns and memory. 

The study involves 3 visits to the sleep lab in Oxford during the day (~11am-4pm each visit). The sessions will involve completing questionnaires, cognitive tasks, and having a daytime nap while we deliver the brain stimulation and measure your brain activity.  

You will be compensated for your time and travel expenses.

You can read the participant information sheet, which provides full details of what is involved.

If you would like to find out more about the study or if you have any questions, please contact Tess or Anna:

Email: sleep-win@ndcn.ox.ac.uk

Ethics Ref: R89942/RE001; V1.0, 24/11/2023

Long-TRM
Investigating long-term effects of targeted memory reactivation of memories during sleep using M/EEG

We are looking for healthy volunteers aged 18-35 years of age who are not pregnant, for a study investigating whether enhancing memories during sleep with sounds provides any long-lasting memory benefits.

The study involves visits across three weeks, with the first visit including spending a night in a sleep lab in Oxford. The subsequent 3 visits will take place in the evenings at Oxford Centre for Human Brain Activity (OHBA) in Oxford 1 day, 1 week, and 3 weeks after the sleep visit (duration ~1 hour). These sessions will involve completing questionnaires and cognitive tasks while we measure brain activity with MEG and EEG. If you have not previously had an MRI scan at the centre, we also ask that you have a short scan. You will be asked questions about your medical history to check your suitability for an MRI scan.

You will be reimbursed for your time.

You can read the participant information sheet, which provides full details of what is involved.

If you would like to find out more about the study or if you have any questions, please contact Anna:

Email: sleep-win@ndcn.ox.ac.uk

Ethics Ref: R92112/RE001; V1.0 04/2024

COLLABORATORS

• Dr Anton Pick, Oxford Centre for Enablement, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust
• Dipti Mistry, Oxfordshire Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, Oxford Health NHS Trust
• Professor Colin Espie, and Associate Professor Simon Kyle, Sir Jules Thorn Sleep & Circadian Neuroscience Institute
• Dr Alasdair Henry, Big Health Ltd, and Sir Jules Thorn Sleep & Circadian Neuroscience Institute
• Professor Nele Demeyere, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences & Department of Experimental Psychology
• Dr Sara Ajina, Neurorehabilitation Unit, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust & University College London