Conclusions Stroke secondary prevention lifestyle interventions are effective in terms of affecting positive change in relation to lifestyle behaviours , physiological and secondary outcomes .
However , there was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of intervention on incidence of stroke recurrence .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Each year , approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke ; of these , five million die and another five million are chronically disabled .
Stroke recurs in approximately 25 % of patients during the first five years post-stroke ; recurrence may result in death , increased disability or institutionalisation .
Modifiable risk factors for recurrent stroke have been identified , and may be addressed by means of behavioural health promotion interventions .
Objectives This systematic review sought to establish the effectiveness of secondary prevention behavioural interventions , which address one or more modifiable lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke i.e. tobacco use , unhealthy diet , physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption .
The impact of stroke nurse specialist input on risk factor modification: a randomised controlled trial.
SIR— Interventions with an educational or counselling component have been reported to be effective in a variety of patient groups to encourage smoking cessation [ 1 ] , lower blood pressure ( BP ) [ 2 , 3 ] , achieve modest reductions in cholesterol [ 4 ] , and promote weight loss [ 5 ] . Evaluation of the impact of education on physical outcomes is lacking in stroke disease , despite evidence that inadequate provision of information may adversely affect compliance with secondary prevention and psychosocial outcomes [ 6 ] . We describe a single-blind r and omised controlled trial of health education and counselling for patients with stroke or transient ischaemic attack ( TIA ) , and its effects on risk factors , satisfaction , mood and perceived health status
Conclusions Stroke secondary prevention lifestyle interventions are effective in terms of affecting positive change in relation to lifestyle behaviours , physiological and secondary outcomes .
However , there was insufficient evidence to determine the effect of intervention on incidence of stroke recurrence .
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background Each year , approximately 15 million people worldwide have a stroke ; of these , five million die and another five million are chronically disabled .
Stroke recurs in approximately 25 % of patients during the first five years post-stroke ; recurrence may result in death , increased disability or institutionalisation .
Modifiable risk factors for recurrent stroke have been identified , and may be addressed by means of behavioural health promotion interventions .
Objectives This systematic review sought to establish the effectiveness of secondary prevention behavioural interventions , which address one or more modifiable lifestyle risk factors for recurrent stroke i.e. tobacco use , unhealthy diet , physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption .