**3.1 Prevalence of PTSD after stroke**

Seven studies reported the prevalence of PTSD after stroke. There was considerable variability in the estimated prevalence of PTSD after stroke, which ranged from 3% (Sagen et al., 2010) to 31% (Bruggimann et al., 2006). This variation is likely to be due to differences in assessment methods, time since stroke, and recruitment procedures (e.g., exclusion criteria, response rates). Nonetheless, despite the heterogeneity in study designs and reported prevalence rates, research to date indicates that stroke survivors are at risk of developing PTSD in line with work on other life-threatening illnesses (Tedstone & Tarrier, 2003). For example, Spindler and Pedersen (2005) reported that the estimated prevalence rate for PTSD after heart disease ranged from 0% to 38%. The estimated prevalence of PTSD after stroke is higher than that found in large-scale community studies which have reported PTSD prevalence rates of less than 1% among older adults (Creamer & Parslow, 2008; Maercker et al., 2008; van Zelst et al., 2003).
