Table 1.

Information on included studies, risk of bias and PEDro Score

Study	Sample size	Dropouts	Intervention design	Primary outcome measure	Secondary outcome measure(s)	Follow-up duration	Control	Risk of bias	PEDro score
Allen et al 27	Intervention (I) 190; Control (C) 190	I: 25 C: 36	Comprehensive post-discharge care management intervention; assessment by nurse in participant’s home; reviewed by the treating medical team. Patient care plans developed. Periodic telephone calls to assess change	None stated	Neuromotor function (measured using NIHSS, Timed Up and Go test, and physical performance test); institution time (days spent hospitalised or in a nursing home during 6-month follow-up); death; quality of life (stroke-specific QOL scale); systolic and diastolic blood pressure (mmHg), depression (CES-D scale), medication appropriateness (an investigator generated tool), haemoglobin A1c (%), total cholesterol (mg/dL), self-reported falls and incontinence; stroke knowledge and lifestyle modification (an investigator-generated questionnaire that assesses knowledge of stroke risk factors and health behaviours)	6 months	Usual post-discharge care planning	Low	9
Tanne et al 30	I: 43 C: 9	I: 2 C: 2	Education on vascular risk, physical exercise and healthy lifestyle; supervised exercise programme, twice/week for 3 months (15 minutes warm-up, 45 minutes on treadmill, stair machine and bicycle at 60–70% of maximal heart rate); prescribed by physiologist; supervised by physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation staff. Exercise prescription adjusted if capacity improved	Physical fitness — maximal exercise test, 6-minute walk test (metres walked)	Resting heart rate (BPM) and resting systolic blood pressure (mmHg)	3 months	Usual post-TIA/stroke care	High. Pilot non-random trial	6
Toledano-Zarhi et al 28	I:14 C: 14	I: 1 C: 0	Exercise group enrolled in 6-week supervised exercise programme (3 hours weekly: 2 sessions of 35–55 minutes on treadmill, hand-bike, and bicycle, supervised by physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation staff: 8 progressive stages; also, 45–55 minutes group practice for strength, flexibility, and coordination Exercise prescription adjusted if capacity improved	Exercise capacity — maximal exercise test, 6-minute walk test (metres walked)	Adverse events (for example strokes or falls)	6 weeks	Home-exercise booklet, advising strength and flexibility exercises, plus normal routine	Uncertain	7
Boysen et al 29	I: 157 C: 157	I: 24 C: 14	Repeated encouragement and verbal instruction on being physically active given by a physiotherapist or neurologist	Physical activity assessed with the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly	Clinical events, for example number of strokes, or hospitalisations	2 years	Verbal information on benefits of physical activity	Low risk	9

BPM = beats per minute. CES-D = Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression. NIHSS = National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. PEDro = Physiotherapy Evidence Database. QOL = quality of life. TIA = transient ischaemic attack.