Discharge intervention to improve outcomes and web-based portal engagement after stroke and transient ischaemic attack: A randomised controlled trial.

Objectives: Web-based interventions may assist in post-discharge stroke care. However, strategies for maximising uptake and engagement are needed. Aims: To determine the: (1) effectiveness of a discharge support intervention (EnableMe web-based portal and strategies to encourage use) in improving quality of life and reducing depression (primary outcome); anxiety and unmet needs of survivors of stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA); and (2) EnableMe use and acceptability. Materials and Methods: An open, parallel-group, multi-centre randomised controlled trial (RCT) of the intervention compared to usual care for survivors of stroke/TIA and their support persons. Participants recruited from eight hospitals completed questionnaires at baseline, 3 and 6 months. Outcomes included quality of life, depression, anxiety and unmet needs. Results: 98 survivors (n=52 intervention, n=47 control) and 30 support persons (n=11 intervention, n=19 control) enrolled in the RCT. Bayesian analyses showed substantial evidence of an intervention effect on survivors’ quality of life scores at 3 months. There was moderate-to-strong evidence of a treatment effect on depression scores and strong evidence that intervention participants had fewer unmet needs at 3 and 6 months. 45 % of intervention group survivors and 63 % of support persons self-reported using EnableMe. 64 % of survivors and 84 % of support persons found it helpful. Conclusion: Substantial evidence for the discharge support intervention was found, with a difference between groups in survivor quality of life, depression, and unmet needs. Acceptability was demonstrated with largely positive attitudes towards EnableMe. Future research should explore different engagement strategies to improve uptake of online stroke resources.