The Cochrane Stroke Group is based in Edinburgh and has been part of Cochrane since August 1993. Cochrane is an international organisation that aims to help people make well-informed decisions about healthcare by 'preparing, maintaining, and promoting the accessibility of systematic reviews of the effects of healthcare interventions'.

Over 180 Cochrane Reviews have so far been published by the Cochrane Stroke Group; these reviews have been proved to be highly influential to stroke care and have been incorporated into multiple clinical guidelines.

The Group also seeks to identify and review all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) of interventions in the primary and secondary prevention of stroke, and the treatment and rehabilitation of stroke patients, including subarachnoid haemorrhage. Primary prevention trials are restricted to those in which stroke is the major outcome of interest, eg carotid surgery for asymptomatic stenosis.