title: Health-enhancing physical activity programme (HEPAP) for transient ischaemic attack and non-disabling stroke: recruitment and compliance.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the feasibility of recruiting and retaining patients newly diagnosed with a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA) into an 8-week exercise programme.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a single-centre, randomised-controlled trial. TIA was confirmed by a specialist stroke physician within 7 days of symptom onset. Following baseline assessment, participants were randomised to either an 8-week exercise intervention or control group (usual care). Participants completed a further assessment 2 months after baseline.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 285 individuals diagnosed with TIA, 97 patients were invited to participate in the trial, of which 60 were successfully recruited (62%). Of those invited, 89% were identified within outpatient care. Individuals were typically of European descent (87%) and lived within 20 km of the study site (81%). Distance to travel was considered the primary barrier for non-participation (46%). Three participants (5%) did not attend the follow-up assessment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Individuals with TIA were successfully recruited and retained into a RCT. A different approach is required to study interventions in Maori, Pacific Islanders, Asian and Indian populations. If the exercise intervention improves vascular risk factors and reduces recurrent vascular events, it could be applied to a large number of people who suffer a TIA or non-disabling stroke.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Private Bag 756, Wellington 6140, New Zealand. J.Faulkner@massey.ac.nz
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrick
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stoner
authors.forename: Lai-kin
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGonigal
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000175:diagnosis; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome