INSsPiRE

About INSsPiRE

This international network of researchers working in the specialty of non-pharmacological, non-surgical stroke secondary prevention aims to raise the scientific profile of stroke secondary prevention.

Following stroke, individuals are at increased risk of secondary stroke (approximately 25% in five years) and other cardiovascular events. To understand and advance the evidence base for non-pharmacological/non-surgical stroke secondary prevention systematic reviews with meta-analyses are required. To assist the generation of the heterogeneous data required for such meta-analyses we require empirical study data that is informed by a standardised (consensus-driven) definition of stroke secondary prevention and an agreed core set of outcomes and associated outcomes measures. These outcomes tools have yet to be developed.

In December 2015, as a result of Lawrence’s review work (2015), the international network, INSsPiRE (International Network of Stroke Secondary Prevention Researchers), was established. The network is based on a core membership, comprising stroke secondary prevention trialists. At a meeting of INSsPiRE in 2016, using an Appreciative Inquiry Technique, a programme of work was agreed upon, which included Delphi consensus work to facilitate the development of a robust, consensus-based definition of the term ‘stroke secondary prevention’, as it relates to non-pharmacological/non-surgical interventions, and an overview review (meta-review).

In December 2020 Professor Lawrence stepped down as Chair and was succeeded by Dr Olive Lennon, University College Dublin. The current Chair is Dr Suzie Wang, Leeds Beckett University. Under Suzie’s leadership, INSsPiRE continues to work to raise awareness of non-pharmacological/non-surgical stroke secondary prevention.

Management team

• Chair: Dr Suzie Wang, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Leeds Beckett University, England

  Email: x.wang@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

• Secretary: Janiel Beckett, PhD student, Leeds Beckett University, England
• Professor Marie Elf, Department of Nursing, Dalarna University, Sweden
• Professor Susanne Guidetti, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
• Patricia Hall, PhD scholar, SPHeRE programme, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, Health Sciences Centre, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Dr Birgitta Johansson, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
• Professor Lena von Koch, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
• Dr Eric Asaba, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Dr Danielle Lambrick, Associate Professor, School of Health Sciences (SoHS), at the University of Southampton
• Dr Olive Lennon, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland
• Dr Elaine Duncan,  School of Health and Life Sciences, GCU, Glasgow, Scotland
• Dr Maggie  Lawrence,  School of Health and Life Sciences, GCU, Glasgow, Scotland

Publications

• A consensus-derived definition of non-surgical, non-pharmacological secondary prevention in stroke
• An overview review of interventions for behaviour change and self-management in stroke secondary prevention has been completed. You can access the protocol and the completed review.
• An international scoping survey of stroke secondary prevention guidelines and audits

Resources

• Keeping Well, a secondary prevention resource for people affected by stroke is part of a free to use, interactive, website Self Help 4 Stroke.