A qualitative study of sedentary behaviour in stroke survivors
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Too much sitting in extended bouts in stroke survivors: a qualitative study to inform novel interventions
IRAS ID
174487
Contact name
Claire Fitzsimons
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Edinburgh
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This is the first qualitative study of sedentary behaviours in stroke survivors. Stroke is the most common cause of adult disability and is the third most common cause of death in the UK. Sedentary behaviours are a distinct class of behaviours where sitting or lying is the dominant posture and energy expenditure is low – it is not simply a lack of physical activity. Sedentary behaviours are a risk factor for health, independent of not meeting physical activity guidelines. We know stroke survivors are highly sedentary. This study will consider the perceived psychological and physical capacity of a stroke survivor to engage in reducing or altering their sedentary time, the types of activities stroke survivors report participating in when sedentary, and what stroke survivors perceive as the opportunities for changing sedentary behaviours. This will inform the development of interventions. Recent international guidelines encourage the reduction of sedentary behaviour after a stroke but how to do this is unknown. We will work with the NHS Research Scotland Stroke Research Network and staff on the stroke wards in Edinburgh hospitals (principally the Royal Infirmary but also Liberton, Astley Ainslie and the Western General) to identify and recruit independently ambulatory patients with a recent acute stroke who live in the Edinburgh area. We intend to interview around 30 stroke survivors (15 men and 15 women) who have required hospital admission following a stroke (first ever or recurrent). We will recruit up to 50 patients at the point of discharge to allow for dropouts as interviews will take place three months post stroke. The interviews will take place in the participant’s own home. Participants will be sent a questionnaire booklet in the post to complete prior to the interview. The study requires one home visit which is expected to last 90 minutes.
REC name
Wales REC 6
REC reference
15/WA/0224
Date of REC Opinion
11 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion