Preston

Methods	Randomised controlled trial Allocation by telephone to remote centre with concealed random number sequence
Participants	176 participants with a clinical diagnosis of stroke were recruited from admission to hospital Mean age: 75 years (SD 10) 52% male Exclusion criteria: depression prior to stroke, cognitive impairment, poor prognosis, substance addiction Inclusion criteria: clinical diagnosis of stroke
Interventions	Intervention: patients were visited by a stroke nurse who visited on average 3 times over 2 months and provided information and advice, emotional support and liaison with services Control: the control group received inpatient case management and multidisciplinary rehabilitation, but no home visits on discharge
Outcomes	Outcomes were recorded at 3 and 12 months by a researcher blinded to treatment allocation Patient outcomes: subjective health status (Nottingham Health Profile), extended activities of daily living (Frenchay Activities Index), activities of daily living (Barthel), mental health (Beck Depression Inventory) Carer outcomes: subjective health status (Carer Strain Index).
Notes	Involvement of a carer was not compulsory
Risk of bias
Bias	Authors' judgement	Support for judgement
Allocation concealment?	Low risk	A ‐ Adequate