Study PopulationBetween September 2

Study Population
Between September 2010 and November 2012, we
enrolled patients between 40 and 80 years within 1 year
from the onset of ischemic stroke (including transient
ischemic attack [TIA]). The diagnosis of the stroke subtype
was made by the physician as either atherothrombotic
or cardioembolic or lacunar or other based on the
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
criteria.13
Patients were excluded if they had severe complications
or physical symptoms that would hinder their
ability to carry out the program content. These were
patients with modified Rankin Scale scores of 4 or more
at discharge or with dementia (scores of #20 of 30 on
the revised Hasegawa’s Dementia Scale14). However, if
a caregiving family member living with the patient could
support management, the patient was included even if
he/she had dementia. Patients were excluded if they
received medical care in a medical/nursing care facility.
Additionally, pregnant women and individuals under terminal
care were excluded.