INSsPiRE (International Network of Stroke secondary Prevention Researchers)
is a collaborative multi-disciplinary network of people with an interest in stroke secondary prevention research. It comprises representatives of the multi-professional stroke rehabilitation team, with academics, researchers and clinicians from across the world.
The long- term aim is to raise the scientific profile of secondary prevention as a key element of long-term stroke rehabilitation and living life with the consequences of stroke. We need to learn more about how to help stroke survivors to initiate and maintain changes to their lifestyle to minimise risk of another stroke. The network intends to share relevant information and resources and to facilitate international collaboration e.g. multi centre studies, thereby building a body of evidence to inform person-centred and/or family-centered healthcare services.
The INSsPiRE network is led by Dr Maggie Lawrence, a senior research fellow at Glasgow Caledonian University who has conducted systematic reviews to assess the effectiveness of behavioural secondary prevention interventions to prevent recurrent stroke: stroke survivor and family member perspectives of stroke interventions, and the effectiveness of structured, group-based self-management programmes with the potential to help people with long term conditions cope better with physical, psychological or emotional distress.
One of the first tasks for the group is to define Stroke Secondary Prevention, i.e. what are the essential elements of a stroke secondary prevention programme? The network hopes to achieve a collective expert consensus on this using Delphi methodology, and members of the group made a start to this following a recent seminar hosted by Glasgow Caledonian University. The seminar consisted of presentations by various members of INSsPiRE to a varied audience consisting of academics and clinical practitioners, representing a range of professions including nurses, dieticians and psychologists, as well as representatives from third sector agencies. This audience contributed to lively discussion following the presentations.
Highlights of the day included a review of reviews ‘Sign posting the way forwards: mapping the evidence for complex interventions addressing lifestyle risk factors after stroke’ led by Dr Olive Lennon. This ground- breaking work will inform the future direction of the network.
Dr Eric Asaba and Dr Gunilla Eriksson presented on ‘Healthcare journeys, technologies, and prevention: Lessons learned from qualitative studies’. In contrast, Dr James Faulkner talked about the benefits of physical activity as a means of secondary prevention care for patients with cardiovascular and/or cerebrovascular disease.
A thought provoking discussion on interventions involving ‘Mindfulness for well-being after stroke’ then followed from Dr Birgitta Johansson. The session finished with Dr Maggie Lawrence who talked about an Evaluation of Keeping Well (selfhelp4stroke.org): an online resource for self-management of stroke risk reduction.
Following the morning’s programme, members of INSsPiRE met to engage in Delphi expert consensus work to try and agree on a definition for what is meant by ‘stroke secondary prevention’ and its constituent elements. This work continues remotely and will be discussed in a future blog.
You can find out more about the day and watch some of the presentations at
If you would like to join INSsPIRE please give us a ‘like’ on Facebook or email Maggie Lawrence (maggie.lawrence@gcu.ac.uk).
Dr Jennie Jackson and Dr Maggie Lawrence from the School of Health and Life Sciences,
Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow
on behalf of the International Network of Stroke Secondary Prevention Researchers (INSsPiRE)
Dr Jennie Jackson is also from the Department of Life Sciences,
School of Health and Life Sciences, Glasgow Caledonian University,
