Glasgow Caledonian University -PhD Research Project Opportunity
Please note that as this project is not funded by a University studentship, the successful candidate will be required to
source external funding for the research degree fees and living expenses while studying at the university.
Project Reference number
Institute/Research groups
2014SHLS043
Managing and Living with Long-Term Conditions
Stroke Rehabilitation
Research Discipline areas

Stroke rehabilitation
Research Theme

Continence
Project Title
Communication impairment after stroke
Research Project Area
Urinary incontinence (UI), any involuntary leakage of urine affects 40-60% of
stroke patients annually in the UK. A quarter will still have UI upon hospital
discharge and 15% will continue to experience problems a year later. The
detrimental impact of UI on patients following stroke is thought to be more
severe than that associated with UI of different aetiologies. The evidence on
which to base UI interventions in stroke care settings is alarmingly inadequate
while the availability of continence policies, guidelines, products and support
from specialist continence professionals varies considerably across stroke care
settings.
Some patients after stroke experience a reduced urinary stream, intermittent
urinary flow, straining or a sense of incomplete emptying of the bladder
known as acute or chronic urinary retention. Urinary retention may contribute
to UI, nocturia (the need to urinate at night) and urinary tract infections.
Urinary tract infections are common after stroke impacting upon their
rehabilitation outcomes and even death.
Patients thought to have urinary retention may be catheterised. Catheters are
silicone or polyurethane tubes inserted by nursing staff into the bladder to
allow urine to drain freely from the bladder and reduce the pressure on the
bladder which in turn are thought to reduce the risk of UTI. However the
numbers of patients catheterised following stroke is unacceptably high and
decisions to catheterise are often poorly supported in the documentation.
Crucially, there is severe lack of evidence based protocols of care in this topic
area an absence of information specific to the post stroke population. In
addition, we have little insight into the predictors for patients’ clinical or
rehabilitation outcomes or adverse events.
Key Questions
What is the range of residual volume experienced by an in-patient stroke
population.
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What is the predictive value of measures of residual volume in relation to
patient symptoms, clinical and rehabilitation outcomes and adverse events
What are patients’ perceptions of residual volume and its relationship to
symptom experience.
Supervisory Team


Prof Marian Brady
Dr Myzoon Ali
Staff Contact

Prof Marian Brady (m.brady@gcu.ac.uk )
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