Article

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of an early exercise and education programme on
psychosocial health of transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and mild, non-disabling stroke patients. DESIGN: Randomized, parallel-group, clinical trial. SETTING:
Hospital and academic institution. PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 55 newly diagnosed
transient ischaemic attack/mild stroke patients (Mean[SD]; 69[11]y). INTERVENTION: Participants were randomized to either an eight-week, twice weekly,
90-minute exercise and education programme (experimental group) or to a usual
care control group. MAIN MEASURES: Psychosocial measures (SF-36, Hospital Anxiety
and Depression Scale, Profile of Mood States, International Physical Activity
Questionnaire, Stroke Awareness Questionnaire) were assessed at baseline and
eight-week and 12-month follow-up. RESULTS: The experimental group demonstrated
improvements in the Physical Component Score (Mean[SD]; 44.1[11.7] to
47.4[11.3]%), Vitality (46.5[12.4] to 54.2[14.2]%), Physical Functioning
(45.6[10.7] to 51.9[14.7]%), Role Physical (38.7[10.8] to 43.1[13.6]%) and Global
Health (49.1[10.3] to 54.4[13.6]%) from the SF-36, at the eight-week follow-up
assessment (P < 0.05). There were no further changes in these measures between
the eight-week and 12-month follow-up assessment (P > 0.05). The experimental
group demonstrated a greater awareness of the signs and symptoms associated with
stroke (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the Mental Component Score
(SF-36), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale or the International Physical
Activity Questionnaire between treatment groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early
engagement in an exercise and education programme may improve physical health
perceptions in transient ischaemic attack/mild stroke patients. However,
secondary prevention exercise and education programmes warrant further research
with regards to their effects on perceptions of mental health in this population group.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS