Supervised exercise after minor stroke: an evaluation from the perspective of patients and healthcare professionals.
Rikke Steen Krawcyk, Katrine Vollbrecht Amdi, Christina Kruuse and 1 others
PMID 40126426WHAT IT FOUND
Patients were most motivated to exercise immediately after stroke, before daily life reorganized.
Supervised hospital exercise felt safer and more engaging than municipal sessions, where patients felt less supported. Peer bonding and frequent follow-ups were key to maintaining activity.
Key findings
01Patients reported high motivation to engage in exercise prevention when invited during the immediate post-stroke hospitalization period, before competing daily life issues arose.
02Supervised exercise in the hospital, where therapists cycled alongside patients, created a sense of safety and accountability that was less present in municipal sessions where patients felt left to themselves.
03Peer support and group dynamics were valued for reducing isolation and increasing effort, but transitioning to municipal cardiac groups disrupted these bonds and required reorganization of routines.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
Only patients who completed the intervention and were willing to participate were interviewed, potentially excluding those who found it too difficult or unhelpful. The researchers had prior relationships with the participants, which may have influenced responses despite efforts to mitigate bias. Findings are from a specific Danish context and may not be transferable to other healthcare systems. Small sample size (8 patients, 5 physiotherapists) limits the breadth of perspectives captured.
Declared interests
The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret this as evidence that the 'Stroke School' intervention improved clinical outcomes like stroke recurrence or physical function. This is a qualitative study exploring patient and therapist experiences of feasibility and acceptability. It describes what participants said about the process, not whether the treatment worked.