Introducing the EASE Trial: A New Hope for Stroke Survivors Living with Emotionalism

Why are you treating depression rather than preventing it with 100% recovery protocols? You're that blitheringly stupid, you don't understand cause and effect?

PLC(Pathological laughing and crying) is a common emotional consequence of stroke. Approximately 15% to 20% of patients may experience this condition during the first year after stroke.

More commonly known as emotional lability.

Introducing the EASE Trial: A New Hope for Stroke Survivors Living with Emotionalism

Professor Niall Broomfield

EASE Lead Investigator

Introducing the EASE Trial (Evaluating Antidepressants for Emotionalism after Stroke), a groundbreaking research initiative aimed at improving the lives of stroke survivors experiencing emotionalism. This trial is now active in several areas of the UK.

What is Post-Stroke Emotionalism

Emotionalism

refers to a condition characterised by excessive or uncontrollable emotional responses. In the context of stroke survivors, emotionalism often manifests as sudden and inappropriate episodes of crying or laughing that are difficult to control. This condition can significantly impact the quality of life, leading to distress, embarrassment, and social withdrawal.The EASE Trial is a multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the effectiveness of Sertraline (50 mg once daily for six months) in treating emotionalism in individuals who have experienced a stroke.

The EASE Trial aims to investigate whether the antidepressant Sertraline can effectively treat this condition in stroke survivors.

The trial is currently opening more UK sites each month and is already recruiting participants at stroke clinics at the following hospitals;

• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital)
• NHS Lanarkshire (University Hospital Hairmyres)
• Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (Torbay Hospital)
• Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust (University Hospital Lewisham)
• St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (St Georges Hospital)
• Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (Musgrove Park Hospital)
• Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (New Cross Hospital)
• Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Addenbrookes)
• Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Royal Victoria Infirmary/Freeman Hospital)
• Liverpool University Foundation Trust (Aintree University Hospital)
• Northern Care Alliance (Northern Care Alliance)
• Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust (Maidstone Hospital)
• Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (Luton & Dunstable University Hospital)
• Wirral University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (Arrowe Park Hospital)
• Royal Stoke University Hospital  (University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust)
Milton Keynes University Hospital (Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)

Individuals over the age of 18 who have experienced a stroke and exhibit symptoms of emotionalism are eligible to participate. Participation is entirely voluntary, and individuals can withdraw at any time without affecting their standard medical care.

What Does Participation Involve?

Participants will undergo a series of steps, including:Registering Interest: Completing a consent form to be contacted for eligibility checks.Testing for Emotionalism: A short assessment to confirm symptoms.

Eligibility and Safety Checks: Conducted by a clinical professional.

Consent and Baseline Questionnaires: Completing consent forms and initial questionnaires.

Taking Trial Medication: Randomly receiving either Sertraline or a placebo for six months, followed by a reduced dose for one month.

Follow-Up Questionnaires: Completing questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 months to monitor progress.

For more general information on the trial, please visit 

https://norwichctu.uea.ac.uk/ease/