Researchers call for stroke patients for exercise research programme

One fifth of stroke survivors are unable to walk - a group known as ‘non-ambulatory’ stroke survivors.

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) researchers are conducting interviews with non-ambulatory stroke survivors and their carers to find out about their views on physical activity after stroke, with the aim of creating a physical activity to help them exercise.

Stroke survivors who cannot walk may be at considerable risk of further stroke and other conditions, including cardiac conditions and diabetes.

While there are interventions to increase physical activity and fitness in people who can walk after their stroke (including in local gyms), there is hardly any evidence for improving physical activity in non-ambulatory stroke survivors.

The Chief Scientist Office has funded GCU to develop an exercise programme which can help this group in their own homes.

The project - ‘Physical activity for non-ambulatory stroke survivors living at home: developing a feasible and acceptable intervention’ - will consult stroke survivors, carers, healthcare and exercise professionals on their views regarding physical activity.

The researchers will develop two different exercises programmes; one for use in the home and the other to be used in a community setting such as sports centres or clubs, and then examine how successful they have been in meeting the stroke survivors’ needs.

If you have had a stroke and are unable to walk, and are interested in finding out more information about the research being conducted at GCU, we would love to hear from you at megan.lloyd@gcu.ac.uk