Evaluating the acceptability of an intensive, multidisciplinary mobility program for community stroke survivors.

The trial will determine the feasibility of a revised intensive (45 hours over 3 weeks, with a follow up period in 3 weeks) therapy program developed to improve mobility for community dwelling stroke survivors. The program is offered as a mix of semi supervised, group practice and individual practice with groups of 3 participants. The sessions run for 60 minutes, three times per day for five consecutive days for three weeks (a total of 15 hours of therapy time allocated). The embedded self management program is the 'Taking Charge After Stroke' Program developed by Dr Harry McNaughton and used with his approval, to improve adherence and acceptability of the program. The multidisciplinary team will be a mix of physiotherapy, exercise physiology and occupational therapy delivering task specific, strength, mobility and cardiorespiratory training. For example, sit to stand practice, tilt table training or body weight support mobility training over ground or on a treadmill. The intervention will have a standard structure but will be provided on an 'intention to treat' basis, and training will be individualised according to the participant's performance on assessment and their identified therapy goals. The intervention will be delivered in two private community rehabilitation sites across Sydney, however participants may elect to complete ~10% of the training at home via a home exercise program. Adherence to the program will be recorded in a participant workbook on practice sheets. If participants are unable to complete active exercise training, they will be given the option to complete mental practice or action observation practice in the allocated time. Intensity of the level of training will be recorded two ways, via number of repetitions (aiming for a personal best each session) and Borg RPE (13-16 on 20 point scale).