The National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neurosciences (NISAN) conducts epidemiological studies and clinical trials to improve health and outcomes in people with major neurological disorders. Current research programmes focus on:
Research with this aim is unique in New Zealand and NISAN is a hub for information sharing and developing a cohesive network between existing research and clinical groups with interests in:
The New Zealand Stroke Education Trust has set up a website: https://www.stroke.net.nz/. A series of self-management video clips and DVDs on stroke care and rehabilitation are available in a visual format that makes it so much easier for stroke sufferers and their family caregivers to improve their recovery post-stroke. They show exactly how to manage everyday needs and provide practical demonstrations of exercises and other techniques to improve quality of life of people with stroke and their family caregivers.
Currently available cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk assessment algorithms allow calculation of absolute risk of CVD (including stroke) but they are designed for use by health professionals and require a lab test to complete. For an individual, one of the main challenges in effective stroke prevention is:
We have developed an App called Stroke Riskometer which has the potential to:
The Stroke Riskometer calculates your risk by evaluating a series of risk factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, lifestyle and other health factors that directly influence your likelihood of a stroke within the next 5 and 10 years, and the user can:
Developed in collaboration with international leaders in stroke prevention, The Stroke Riskometer™ app: