title: A randomized controlled trial to assess the psychosocial effects of early exercise engagement in patients diagnosed with transient ischaemic attack and mild, non-disabling stroke.
abstract: 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, parallel-group, clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hospital and academic institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 55 newly diagnosed transient ischaemic attack/mild stroke patients (Mean[SD]; 69[11]y).
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand J.Faulkner@massey.ac.nz.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Faulkner
authors.affiliation: York Teaching Hospitals, York, UK.
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGonigal
authors.affiliation: Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Brandon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woolley
authors.affiliation: Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Stoner
authors.affiliation: Wellington Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Laikin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Danielle
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lambrick
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D002546:Ischemic Attack, Transient / Q000523:psychology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
keywords: Transient ischaemic attack; long-term follow-up; physical exercise; psychosocial health