“Hip-Hop” Stroke

Teaching children to recognize stroke.

First the details.

• “Hip-Hop” Stroke is an educaional program that uses music and dance to help children learn the FAST mnemonic (Facial droop, Arm weakness, Speech disturbance, Time to call 911).
• The program occurred in central Harlem, New York City, a community with high stroke risk.
• 582 fourth, fifth, and sixth graders (9 to 11 years old) participated in 1-hour sessions over 3 consecutive days.

And, the results among the “Hip-Hop” students

• Knowledge of stroke localization: 20% correct before vs 93% correct immediately after the program, and 86% correct 3 months later — significant improvement.
• The term “brain attack: 16% before, 95% immediate after the program, 86% 3 months later — significant improvement
• Call 911 for stroke: 78% before, 100% immediate after the program, 98% 3 months later — significant improvement.
• FAST stroke symptoms (facial droop and slurred speech) were significantly better retained than non-FAST symptoms (headache and blurred vision) at 3 months.
• For stroke prevention measures, dietary change and exercise were better learned than concepts of diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Elementary school children are educable about stroke, retain their knowledge well, and may be able to appropriately activate emergency services for acute stroke. Incorporating cultural elements such as hip-hop music may improve retention of stroke knowledge among the youth.”

7/19/08 21:59 JR