Abstract 23: Feasibility of the Stroke COunseling for Risk REduction (SCORRE) Intervention

Abstract

Young adult African Americans (AA) are disproportionately affected by stroke and stroke risk factors. Hypertension, diabetes and obesity contribute to early-onset stroke and strategies are needed to help AA adopt healthy lifestyles early. Purpose: To assess feasibility of the SCORRE intervention in at risk, young adult AA. SCORRE consists of a video of young AA stroke champions sharing their experiences with stroke and advice for reducing stroke risk; the AHA’s, web-based Life’s Simple 7 (LS7) risk assessment and education tool, and a behavioral risk reduction diary. Methods: A randomized controlled, two-group pre-post design with a 6-week follow-up was used. Data were collected using questionnaires, physiological measures, and a diary. We assessed stroke risk factor knowledge, perceived and actual stroke risk, risk reduction behaviors, and intervention satisfaction. Results: Of the 52 individuals who responded to flyers, 30 were enrolled and 29 completed the 6-week follow up. On average, participants were 23 ± 4.4 years, female, had some college education, and low-income. Mean LS7 scores were less than ideal, 8.1 ± 1.2 out of 10; participants averaged 2.1 ± 1.1 out of 7 risk factors, mostly inadequate diet, obesity and pre-hypertension. SCORRE participants ( n =19) had significant improvements in stroke risk factor knowledge following SCORRE (pre=11.5 ± 1.6, post=13.2 ± 1.3 out of 15; p =.001) but not at 6 weeks (12.2 ± 2.5; p =.31); while control participants ( n =11) had no significant improvements. SCORRE participants with an accurate perception of their stroke risk almost doubled (47% to 89%) compared to control participants (36% to 46%). The majority (89%) of SCORRE participants had diet or physical activity improvements at 6 weeks compared to 27% of control participants. SCORRE satisfaction scores were high 3.49 ± .35 out of 4; ≥83% were motivated to achieve better health, enjoyed the video, LS7 and diary, and felt the program length was appropriate. Conclusion: Results demonstrate SCORRE is feasible; had low attrition, improvements in knowledge, accuracy, and health behaviors were observed, and satisfaction of SCORRE was high. Further testing of SCORRE as a stroke risk reduction intervention is needed in a larger sample with a longer follow-up period.