Tailored implementation of a behaviour change intervention for post-stroke physical activity: A mixed-methods feasibility study.

This was a small feasibility study with four teams and no control group, so it cannot show whether PARAS improves physical activity or patient outcomes. Twelve healthcare professionals completed the feasibility questionnaire. A fifth team completed only Step 1, and its data are reported elsewhere. The study did not include a sample size calculation. Staff changes, rotations, clinical pressures and competing priorities affected implementation plans. Inpatient implementation was disrupted by staffing shortages and competing priorities, so acute ward use is uncertain. The study relied on self-reported achievement and qualitative reports, not measured patient outcomes.

The study was funded by Northumbria University's Internal Funding Scheme, and the funding bodies had no influence on study design. The corresponding author had previously received NIHR and Health Education England funding to develop and test PARAS and developed the free PARAS website. One author is a member of an NIHR Applied Research Collaboration.

Do not conclude that PARAS increases physical activity or improves stroke outcomes. The study tested feasibility of implementation, not patient outcomes, and all four teams only partially achieved their implementation plans.