Factors influencing participation and engagement in post-stroke cardiac rehabilitation and exercise: an exploratory qualitative study.
Emma Martin, Trudi Cameron, Kate Radford
PMID 39846769WHAT IT FOUND
Stroke survivors and staff identified barriers like transport costs, fatigue, and lack of stroke-specific training.
Enablers included social connection, adapted exercises, and supportive staff. Home-based classes were unpopular due to lost camaraderie. Prioritising accessible venues and staff upskilling may improve engagement.
Key findings
01Barriers to participation include transport costs, fatigue, and limited alternative class formats, while enablers include supportive staff and social connection.
02Service providers noted a lack of stroke-specific training and guidelines, which impacts their confidence and knowledge in running these classes.
03Home-based or online exercise options were viewed negatively by service users due to a perceived loss of group camaraderie and support.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The sample size was very small (8 participants), limiting generalisability to the wider stroke population. Recruitment was largely from research-based cardiac rehabilitation settings, so findings may not reflect community-based provision. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have influenced participants' views on home-based versus group exercise. Only English-speaking participants were included, and those with severe aphasia were excluded, potentially missing perspectives from those with significant communication barriers.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was part of the first author’s dissertation research project.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume this study proves that specific interventions increase participation rates. As a qualitative study with only eight participants, it identifies themes and barriers from a small, specific group but does not measure outcomes or efficacy. The findings suggest areas for improvement, but they do not confirm that changing these factors will lead to statistically significant improvements in engagement.