Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Lisbeth Hockey Community Nursing Research Training Fellowship 2008. Final Report, Maggie Lawrence, Susan Kerr, Caroline Mcvey, Dorothy Ferguson

Dr. Maggie Lawrence

Background Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability in the UK; the incidence is particularly high in Scotland, with more than 12,000 new cases per year. Stroke recurs in approximately 25% of patients and may result in death or an increased risk of disability or institutionalisation. Stroke is associated with a disadvantaged socio-economic profile and lifestyle behaviours which include smoking, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption and lack of exercise. Crucially, these factors are amenable 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 …