Background: Adult stroke survivors and families may experience substantial barriers to accessing, understanding and using research evidence. Aphasia, cognitive changes, fatigue, health-literacy demands, restricted access to published literature and the technical presentation of research may all affect whether evidence is meaningful to stroke survivors and families. Aims: To examine barriers to accessible stroke research and consider how nurses, other health professionals, healthcare organisations, researchers, professional bodies and survivor-led initiatives can support the translation of evidence for stroke survivors and families. Methods: This clinical narrative review draws on selected stroke-specific and broader literature identified through focused searches in PubMed and CINAHL, supplemented by citation searching, recent guidelines and relevant practice examples. Sources were selected by author consensus, with broader evidence included where stroke-specific research was limited. Findings: Making research accessible requires clear language, relevance to survivor priorities, appropriate timing and format, communication support, family involvement where preferred, access to reliable information and verification of understanding. Nurses and allied health professionals have a distinctive role through sustained contact with survivors and families, and their responsibilities for assessment, education, interdisciplinary coordination and transition planning. Supported communication, visual formats, teach-back and co-designed resources may improve accessibility, although their effectiveness in stroke populations remains incompletely established. Survivor-led digital and artificial intelligence-assisted approaches offer further possibilities but require careful evaluation and human oversight. Conclusions: Making stroke evidence understandable and practical is a shared responsibility. Health professionals are fundamental to connecting evidence with the communication needs, priorities and lived circumstances of stroke survivors and families, but this role requires organisational and interdisciplinary support across the pathway.
In July, BANN organised a seminar on the Glasgow Coma Scale, which was remarkable for its practical nature and the high level of audience engagement. The Society of British Neurosurgeons celebrated its centenary. The chief executive officer of the Neurological Alliance introduces her organisation to BJNN readers
Childhood stroke is a rare but life-changing condition that is frequently under-recognised and often presents differently to adult stroke. This article explores the impact of stroke across childhood, drawing on evidence and the parental lived experience. It highlights the physical, cognitive, emotional and psychosocial consequences of stroke across the lifespan, alongside the wider impact on parents and siblings. Nurses play a pivotal role in recognising childhood stroke, supporting families, advocating for coordinated care and facilitating access to appropriate services. By increasing awareness and understanding of childhood stroke, nurses can help improve outcomes for affected children and ensure families receive timely, compassionate and holistic support.
Introduction: Stroke is a leading cause of epilepsy in older adults, accounting for more than half of new cases in those aged >60. Post-stroke seizure and post-stroke epilepsy are associated with increased risk of death and disability. Aims: To explore the incidence, clinical features and underlying mechanisms of post-stroke seizure and post-stroke epilepsy and distinguish early post-stroke seizures from late post-stroke seizures and post-stroke epilepsy, in order to highlight risk factors and treatment implications. Methods: The authors conducted a literature review via Medline, Embase and PubMed (2015–2025), using the terms ‘seizures,’ ‘epilepsy’ and ‘stroke.’ They included peer-reviewed adult studies on post-stroke seizures and excluded non-English articles, paediatric studies and studies without primary data. Conclusions: The incidence of early post-stroke seizure and late post-stroke seizure/post-stroke epilepsy is significant. Estimates vary by setting and methodology. Diagnosis is performed through electroencephalography and advanced neuroimaging techniques. Personalised management is essential and prognostic evaluation is necessary.
