Stroke Counseling Intervention for Young Adult African Americans: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The sample was recruited from a university and surrounding area and was 75% female, 95% with some college education, and 79% with health insurance, so results may not apply to less educated, uninsured, or male young African American adults. Fewer men than women participated, and there were not enough male participants to determine whether effects differed by gender. Only 7% reported current cigarette or cigar use, so smoking outcomes were not analyzed by group. The primary behavioral outcomes were self-reported, and physical activity was not measured objectively. SCORRE was a bundle of a brochure, video, nurse risk assessment and counseling, diary, and texts, so the contribution of any single component cannot be separated. The control group also received nurse-led materials, a video, a diary, and texts, so differences cannot be attributed to any one element of SCORRE. Follow-up was 8 weeks, and longer follow-up is needed to see whether behavior changes persist. Health indicators were repeated only for baseline abnormal values, so an 8-week Life's Simple 7 score and perceived versus actual risk comparison could not be obtained. The small sample limited exploration of outcomes by whether participants underestimated or overestimated their stroke risk.

The authors reported no conflicts of interest.

Do not conclude that nurse counseling alone prevents stroke or improves physical activity. The trial measured self-reported diet, physical activity, and risk perception over 8 weeks, found no physical activity difference, and delivered several components together, so their separate contributions cannot be separated.