None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Stroke is common in Australia and the number of people experiencing stroke will increase with the ageing population. Currently, rehabilitation therapy after stroke focusses on restoring functions such as walking, swallowing and speech, with a primary goal of enabling people to return home. Improving physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness, receives very little or no attention; however, improving fitness has the potential to enhance recovery of function, prevent future stroke or other cardiovascular events such as heart attacks, and improve the quality of life of stroke survivors. Low levels of fitness make everyday activities difficult and fatiguing to perform and may also put the person at greater risk of another stroke. Studies of stroke survivors suggest they are only about half as fit as non-stroke people of a similar age. Unlike heart attack survivors who commonly access cardiac rehabilitation, fitness-training programs are not routinely available for stroke survivors. There have only been a small number of fitness training trials in stroke and most required participants to undergo expensive testing in a large hospital or research centre. The majority used a "one-program-fits-all" training approach and required participants to train at a single centre. Therefore the purpose of this project is to trial a physical activity program that is individualised to the participants' interests, abilities and access to equipment in their home or local community, is low-cost, and could be implemented anywhere in Australia. Participants will be provided with encouragement and support by phone and email, not only for the 12 weeks of the program but for the 12 month study duration. This pilot is a small, controlled trial where 50% participants will commence the program immediately while the other 50% will undergo baseline testing then be retested 12 weeks later before they start the program. We will compare fitness levels between those undergoing immediate and delayed fitness training, and measure changes before and after training as well as at 6 and 12 months.
Interventions
The intervention is a 12 week program to increase levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. After the completion of baseline measures a physiotherapist and an exercise scientist consults with the participant for approximately 1 hour to discuss their program and to demonstrate/practice activities. Thereafter, participants exercise on their own. The program is individualised based on each participant's age, exercise preferences and access to resources and is carried out in their
The intervention is a 12 week program to increase levels of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour. After the completion of baseline measures a physiotherapist and an exercise scientist consults with the participant for approximately 1 hour to discuss their program and to demonstrate/practice activities. Thereafter, participants exercise on their own. The program is individualised based on each participant's age, exercise preferences and access to resources and is carried out in their local community or at home. They are provided with an exercise manual that includes tips on overcoming barriers and tips for staying motivated, an exercise diary and suggested activities that can be done at home. Participants who are interested in using a pedometer are provided with one to provide feedback and to set targets. Participants are encouraged to exercise/ be active for at least 30 minutes most days of the week. They are also encouraged to break up long periods of sitting with some standing and walking. Activities at an intensity to improve cardiorespiratory fitness are strongly encouraged. During the 12 week program support is provided weekly via emails and/or phone calls. After the 12 weeks support is provided monthly up until the 12 month review. Participants are encouraged to contact the research team if they have any queries or issues.
Sponsors
University of Newcastle
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Other
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Community dwelling, adult stroke survivor within 1 year of last stroke, able to follow basic commands
Exclusion criteria
Pregnant, deemed medically unfit to participate as determined by a medical practitioner (ASCM Contraindications to Exercise Testing- absolute and relative- are provided on the Medical Clearance form), unable to attend the centre for testing
Outcome results
None listed