Millions affected as coronavirus halts 'life-changing' stroke research

The majority of stroke research projects have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic, causing a ‘catastrophic’ delay to millions getting life-changing treatments, a charity warns.

The Stroke Association has seen 74 per cent of its research projects put on hold because of COVID-19, as the charity’s fundraising capabilities and researchers’ ability to do their work have been hit hard by the pandemic.

The charity expects a £1.5 million shortfall in its funding for research into stroke this year.

A delay in millions of people getting life-changing treatments would hinder people’s ability to rebuild their lives after stroke. This is particularly troubling news following reports of a link between stroke and COVID-19.

'Ticking time bomb'

Dr Rubina Ahmed, research director at the Stroke Association, said: “A lack of funding for research is now a ticking time bomb. If we don’t act now the coronavirus pandemic could set back stroke research for years to come. "The research community will struggle to get projects back up and running, but it’s vital for every stroke survivor and their loved ones that we do.”

We couldn't test face to face

Stroke strikes every five minutes in the UK and is a leading cause of adult disability, but researchers responding to the charity’s poll revealed the ‘devastating’ impact of the pandemic on their work. Dr Lucy Dipper at City University, London is in the final stages of testing a new treatment for stroke survivors with communication difficulties.

Dr Dipper said: “We couldn’t continue testing our new treatment face-to-face. But we couldn't just stop. The stroke survivors taking part in this research have a communication difficulty and could miss out on essential treatment."

They may be at risk of not receiving enough treatment and be even more vulnerable to isolation at this time.

While the decision was made to move the treatment online, she said: “This hugely disrupted our plans and we needed extra funding to extend the time we have to involve more people in a different way than we had planned”. “We’re extremely passionate about this project and that's why we leapt so quickly to make changes. The whole team just want it to continue. We’re putting our all into it, heart and soul.”

Two-thirds (66 per cent) of researchers responding to a survey by the charity conducted last May said they need to make changes to their studies for their projects to continue. This could mean extra costs and changes to what they had initially set out to achieve. A fifth of researchers (22 per cent) said they will need more funding.

Almost a fifth of the charity’s research projects (18 per cent) had staff redeployed to front line NHS work, for example as neurologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists.

Strokes triggered by COVID-19

Research into strokes is needed more than ever as doctors treating COVID-19 patients in hospitals have seen strokes triggered by a massive overreaction by the immune system, which causes inflammation in the body and brain.

A study in the Lancet Psychiatry found brain complications in 125 seriously ill coronavirus patients in UK hospitals. Nearly half had suffered a stroke due to a blood clot.

Dr Rubina Ahmed added: “Stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do. It changes lives in an instant. Our research has been at the centre of major breakthroughs that have saved lives and sparked innovation in stroke care and treatment”.

The Stroke Association's previous efforts have led to one of the most successful public health awareness campaigns in England - the Act FAST campaign - which helps people to recognise the signs and symptoms of stroke.

The charity said in 2016 just £48 was spent on stroke research per patient, compared to £241 on cancer research. Last year, the charity invested over £2 million into stroke prevention, treatment and rehabilitation which is now under threat.

To donate to the Stroke Association, click here.