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 .
Stroke patients and long-term training: is it worthwhile? A randomized comparison of two different training strategies after rehabilitation
Objective : To find out if there were any differences in improvement and maintenance of motor function , activity of daily living and grip strength between patients with first-ever stroke receiving two different strategies of physical exercise during the first year after stroke . Design : A longitudinal r and omized controlled stratified trial . Setting : Rehabilitation institutions , community , patients ' homes and nursing homes . Subjects : Seventy-five male and female first-time-ever stroke patients : 35 in an intensive exercise group and 40 in a regular exercise group . Intervention : The intensive exercise group received physiotherapy with focus on intensive exercises in four periods during the first year after stroke . The regular exercise group patients were followed up according to their subjective needs during the corresponding year . Main outcome measures : Motor Assessment Scale , Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living , and grip strength . Results : Both groups improved significantly up to six months when function stabilized . The groups did not differ significantly on any test occasions . The difference of improvement from admission to discharge was significant in favour of the intensive exercise group , in the Motor Assessment Scale total score ( intensive exercise group 7.5 ; regular exercise group 1.7 , P = 0.01 ) , and in the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living total score ( 17.4 versus 8.9 , P = 0.04 ) . Conclusion : Motor function , activities of daily living functions and grip strength improved initially and were maintained during the first year after stroke in all patients irrespective of exercise regime . This indicates the importance of motivation for regular exercise in the first year following stroke , achieved by regular check-ups
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 .