Oxford

Methods	Randomised controlled trial Allocation by telephone randomisation to remote individual, with sequentially numbered opaque envelopes
Participants	323 participants were recruited from hospital presenting within 6 weeks of stroke Mean age: 74 years (SD 13) 52% male Exclusion criteria: institutional care, dominant medical problems or severe illness Inclusion criteria: confirmed stroke, aged 18 or over, local in area and with close family carer
Interventions	Intervention: patients assigned to the intervention group were visited by the family support organiser (trained by the UK Stroke Association) who provided written and verbal information and advice, support and liaison with services; on average patients received 2 visits and 3 telephone contacts Control: the control group did not receive any input from the family support organiser
Outcomes	Outcomes were assessed at 6 months by a researcher blinded to treatment allocation Patient outcomes: subjective health status (Dartmouth CO‐OP chart), death, place of residence, activities of daily living (Barthel, Rivermead Mobility Index), dependency (London Handicap Scale), mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), satisfaction (Local Satisfaction Scale) Carer outcomes: subjective health status (Carer Strain Index, SF 36), extended activities of daily living (Frenchay Activities Index), mental health (GHQ 28), satisfaction
Notes	—
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate