• Justine A Aaronson, Coen A M van Bennekom, Winni F Hofman, Tijs van Bezeij, Joost G van den Aardweg, Erny Groet, Wytske A Kylstra, and Ben A Schmand.
• Heliomare Research & Development, Relweg 51, 1949 EC Wijk aan Zee, The Netherlands. j.aaronson@heliomare.nl.
• Bmc Neurol. 2014 Jan 1;14:36.

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea is a common sleep disorder in stroke patients. Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with stroke severity and poor functional outcome. Continuous positive airway pressure seems to improve functional recovery in stroke rehabilitation. To date, the effect of continuous positive airway pressure on cognitive functioning in stroke patients is not well established. The current study will investigate the effectiveness of continuous positive airway pressure on both cognitive and functional outcomes in stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea.Methods/DesignA randomized controlled trial will be conducted on the neurorehabilitation unit of Heliomare, a rehabilitation center in the Netherlands. Seventy stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea will be randomly allocated to an intervention or control group (n = 2×35). The intervention will consist of four weeks of continuous positive airway pressure treatment. Patients allocated to the control group will receive four weeks of treatment as usual. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention and at two-month follow-up.In a supplementary study, these 70 patients with obstructive sleep apnea will be compared to 70 stroke patients without obstructive sleep apnea with respect to cognitive and functional status at rehabilitation admission. Additionally, the societal participation of both groups will be assessed at six months and one year after inclusion.DiscussionThis study will provide novel information on the effects of obstructive sleep apnea and its treatment with continuous positive airway pressure on rehabilitation outcomes after stroke.Trial RegistrationTrial Registration NumberDutch Trial Register NTR3412.

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