Stroke

These web sites give you the latest evidence and tell you about research that is happening now.

BC Stroke Strategy

The BC Stroke Strategy was developed to improve the recognition of, treatment for and rehabilitation after a stroke. The strategy looked at the care that is available now, set standards of practice for stroke in B.C., and made recommendations for changes.

Canadian Stroke Strategy

Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care have been developed by stroke experts across the country. These recommendations focus on optimal treatment for stroke patients. This guide provides patients and their families with practical information drawn from the recommendations. Learn more about the Canadian Stroke Strategy at www.strokebestpractices.ca.

The Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care is a joint initiative of the Canadian Stroke Network and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada.

Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care (updated 2010)

A Patient’s Guide to Canadian Best Practice Recommendations for Stroke Care

Among new recommendations:

• Blood pressure should be maintained at a level that is consistently lower than 140/90;
• Because atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) increases stroke risk, patients with this condition should be closely monitored and the use of new drug therapies should be considered;
• Patients who have a mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack) should be referred immediately to a stroke specialist at a prevention clinic or to an emergency department due to increased risk of a major stroke;
• There should be more widespread use of telestroke – long-distance video and data hookups – between stroke specialists and communities where on- site stroke care does not exist; and
• Improved hospital discharge programs are needed, as well as better community services to enable people to return home sooner from hospital.

Stroke Canada Optimization of Rehabilitation through Evidence (SCORE) - Evidence Based Recommendations for the Upper and Lower Extremities and Risk Assessment Post-Stroke 2005

Canadian Stroke Network

Canadian Stroke Network is a collaborative project that aims to create valuable new knowledge in stroke, to ensure the best knowledge is applied and to build on Canadian capacity in stroke.  

The Canadian Stroke Network contains a lot of information for both stroke survivors and clinicians.  The amount of information can be overwhelming so here are some things to start out with:

• StrokEngine tells you about specific stroke treatments and topics such as aerobic exercise, assistive devices, cognitive rehabilitation, depression, unilateral spatial neglect and much, much more. For each treatment listed you can read a quick or in depth review.  It also has family/patient information about the treatment.
• Read the informative newsletters, especially Winter 2009 that has a guide for "Getting on With the Rest of Your Life After Stroke."
• The Patient’s Guide to Best Practice’s tells you about the best treatment for stroke patients.
• Check out tools to see different tools that help with your daily activities, and to keep up to date with current stroke technologies.
• Research tells you about current research in the areas of: preventing stroke, optimizing acute stroke care, minimizing stroke damage, post-stroke repair and recovery, and knowledge transfer.

EBRSR: Evidence-Based Review of Stroke Rehabilitation

The EBRSR now has includes in-depth reviews of well over 2000 studies including 1,078 randomized controlled trials. Over the past year, case-based Educational Modules have been added, which continue to be revised and expanded on an ongoing basis. The website features:

• News
• Evidence Reviews
• Appendices
• Educational Modules
• Resources

EBRSR Executive Summary

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (USA) provides an informative A - Z disorder index. A description of the condition is given along with information on treatment and prognosis. Research is listed, and links to organizations and publications are provided.

Exercise Programs for Stroke Survivors

Stroke survivors can improve their arm function and mobility through exercise.

Recent research has shown that exercise programs do improve arm function, mobility, hip bone density, cardiovascular fitness and quality of life in people with strokes.

Downloadable exercise manuals are available for:

Graded Repetitive Arm Supplementary Program (GRASP)
A self-directed exercise program to improve arm function in people with stroke.

Fitness and Mobility Exercise Program (FAME)
A group community-based exercise program to improve mobility, hip bone density, cardiovascular fitness and quality of life in people with stroke.

This research was carried out at the Rehabilitation and Research Lab located at GF Strong Rehab Centre and part of the Vancouver Coastal Health Research Institute.  See the website and check out what other research is being done.