Awareness of Early Symptoms of Stroke, Risk Factors of Stroke and Preventive Physiotherapy Measures of Stroke Amongst General Population

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

General population awareness of stroke showed high recognition of hypertension as a risk factor (84.8%), but low awareness of the FAST warning signs (10.3%) and preventive physiotherapy (18.6%).

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Stroke awareness (n=145). Intervention: Stroke awareness assessment (12-item questionnaire). Primary outcome: Awareness of FAST stroke warning signs acronym (p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

The general population shows high recognition of hypertension as a stroke risk factor but exhibits substantial deficits in recognizing the FAST early warning signs and the preventive role of physiotherapy. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To assess awareness of early stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures in the general population using a validated questionnaire.

Krishna Anish Kanani; Madhushree Arvind Sawant

doi:10.30574/wjbphs.2026.28.2.0471

November 1, 2026World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health SciencesOpen Access

Awareness of Early Symptoms of Stroke, Risk Factors of Stroke and Preventive Physiotherapy Measures of Stroke Amongst General Population

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Key result

General public shows poor stroke warning sign awareness, with only ~10% recognizing FAST symptoms.

P<0.001
n=145

Why the study?

Stroke is a leading cause of death and long-term disability, and recognizing early symptoms, risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures can facilitate timely treatment and prevention. This study assessed the general population's awareness of early stroke symptoms, risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures.

Key Points

To assess awareness of early stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures in the general population using a validated questionnaire.
Community-based, cross-sectional observational study conducted over six months involving 145 participants recruited through convenience sampling (mean age 39.82 ± 13.24 years).
Administered a self-developed, validated 12-item interview questionnaire covering stroke risk factors, FAST symptoms, and preventive physiotherapy measures, analyzed using descriptive statistics.
High blood pressure was the most commonly recognized risk factor (84.8%), followed by high cholesterol (59.3%), while recognition was lower for smoking (31.7%), obesity (22.8%), and diabetes mellitus (22.1%).
Only 10.3% of participants had heard of the FAST acronym, with low recognition of face drooping (11.7%), arm weakness (20.0%), and speech difficulty (12.4%), though 91.7% knew to call emergency services immediately.
While 75.2% recognized that physical activity reduces stroke risk, only 18.6% had heard of physiotherapy as a preventive measure, just 4.1% had consulted a physiotherapist for prevention, and 6.9% understood transient ischaemic attack.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=145)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P

Population

145 community-dwelling adults in Mumbai, India (mean age 39.82 years, 52.4% female, aged 20-60 years, excluding medical professionals) surveyed over six months.

O

Outcome

Awareness of early stroke symptoms (based on FAST acronym), stroke risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures of stroke assessed using a self-developed, validated 12-item interview-based questionnairepatient reported

Main Result

p-value: p=<0.001

This community-based cross-sectional study in Mumbai reveals that despite high awareness of hypertension as a stroke risk factor (84.8%) and knowing to call emergency services (91.7%), public knowledge of the FAST warning signs (10.3%), transient ischemic attack (6.9%), and preventive physiotherapy (18.6%) remains critically low.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships or track changes over time
Convenience sampling may not represent the broader general population
Relatively small sample size (n=145) from a single community setting limits generalizability
Self-reported data from a self-developed questionnaire may be subject to recall bias, guessing, or social desirability bias
Medical professionals were excluded
No subgroup comparisons or educational intervention testing were performed
Cross-sectional design captured awareness at a single point in time, so it cannot establish cause-and-effect relationships or track how awareness changes over time.
Convenience sampling was used, which may not fully represent the broader general population.
Relatively small sample of 145 participants drawn from a single community setting limits generalisability to other regions, rural populations, or groups with different educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Responses relied on a self-developed questionnaire and participants' self-reported knowledge, which may have been affected by recall, guessing, or socially desirable answers.
The study did not compare awareness across demographic subgroups, nor did it test whether an educational intervention could improve knowledge.

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Implication

Low FAST awareness may warrant targeted education; leaves open effects on stroke outcomes.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability worldwide. Recognising its early symptoms and understanding the risk factors involved can make the difference between timely treatment and lasting complications. Physiotherapy contributes to prevention by encouraging physical activity and supporting healthier lifestyle habits. This study looked at how aware the general population is of early stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures. Aim and Objectives: To assess awareness of early stroke symptoms, stroke risk factors, and preventive physiotherapy measures of stroke using a self-made, validated questionnaire. Materials and Methods: This was a community-based, cross-sectional observational study carried out over six months. A total of 145 participants were recruited through convenience sampling, and information was collected through interviews using a self-developed, validated 12-item questionnaire. The questionnaire covered stroke risk factors, early symptoms based on FAST, and awareness of preventive physiotherapy measures. Data were analysed in SPSS using descriptive statistics. Results: Hypertension was the most widely recognised risk factor (84.8%), followed by high cholesterol (59.3%), while awareness of the other risk factors was noticeably lower. Only 10.3% of participants had ever heard of FAST, and knowledge of its individual components was similarly weak. Even so, 91.7% knew that emergency services should be contacted immediately if a stroke was suspected. Awareness of physiotherapy as a preventive measure was also limited. Conclusions: These findings point to clear gaps in public awareness of stroke's warning signs, its risk factors, and the preventive role physiotherapy can play. Building community awareness around FAST, healthier lifestyle habits, and physiotherapy's contribution to prevention could support earlier recognition and better stroke prevention overall.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Kanani et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Stroke awareness (n=145). Stroke awareness assessment (12-item questionnaire) was evaluated on Awareness of FAST stroke warning signs acronym (p=<0.001). General population awareness of stroke showed high recognition of hypertension as a risk factor (84.8%), but low awareness of the FAST warning signs (10.3%) and preventive physiotherapy (18.6%).

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aee6bd871a7594806220c59 https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2026.28.2.0471

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Awareness of Early Symptoms of Stroke, Risk Factors of Stroke and Preventive Physiotherapy Measures of Stroke Amongst General Population

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Awareness of Early Symptoms of Stroke, Risk Factors of Stroke and Preventive Physiotherapy Measures of Stroke Amongst General Population

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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