The Lisbeth Hockey Community Nursing Research Training Fellowship 2008:Final report to the Queens Nursing Institute Scotland

Abstract

Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the UK; the incidence isparticularly high in Scotland, with more than 12,000 new cases per year. Strokerecurs in approximately 25% of patients and may result in death or an increased risk of disability or institutionalisation. Stroke is associated with a disadvantaged socioeconomic rofile and lifestyle behaviours which include smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise. Crucially, these factors are menable to change by means of pharmacotherapy and/or the delivery of lifestyle interventions. While the provision of lifestyle interventions has the potential to improve health outcomes and reduce the extension of disability, there is currently a dearth of research in this area