Adapted cardiac rehabilitation for people with sub-acute, mild-to-moderate stroke: a mixed methods feasibility study

Abstract

Objective: To determine the recruitment strategy, acceptability, adherence, outcome measures, and adverse events for a definitive study that will explore adapted cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for people post-stroke with mild-to-moderate severity stroke in the sub-acute stage of recovery. Design: Mixed methods feasibility study. Setting: Acute hospital setting, neurology outpatients and community hospitals. Participants: 32 participants with stroke (mean age: 64.4 years) of median National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score 2 (range: 0 to 6) within six months of stroke. Intervention: All participants attended six weeks, adapted CR within one to six months after a stroke. A combined class with people post cardiac event. Main outcome measures: Incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT), blood pressure, heart rate, weight, body mass index, quality of life, fatigue, anxiety and depression, tone, falls, stroke attitude and knowledge, physical activity (accelerometry) and functional ability. Qualitative: Interviews with participants, non-participants and people post-cardiac event. Focus groups with Stroke and CR teams. Results: 32 participants were recruited. The programme was acceptable to people with mild stroke (NIHSS 2. Clinical Trial Registration Number: ISRCTN14861846