Effect of a community exercise programme on stroke patients (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Effect of a community-based exercise programme on physical, psychosocial and economic health outcomes in individuals living with stroke.
IRAS ID
274139
Contact name
James Faulkner
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Winchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Physical activity is known to be beneficial for supporting health and wellbeing. A number of schemes and strategies have been developed to improve uptake of physical activity in the UK population, including the ‘Everybody active, every day’ framework (Public Health England 2018). This framework includes recommendations for referral from a healthcare professional for people to become more active. For those with an existing health condition or other risk factors that could lead to health problems, such referrals may be to an ‘exercise referral scheme’ (ERS). However, there are often limited opportunities for individuals diagnosed with stroke and/or TIA (transient ischaemic attack; a ‘minor’ stroke) to engage in rigorously monitored, exercise and behaviour change opportunities once they have been discharged from NHS services. In Winchester, GPs refer approximately 10 to 20 stroke/TIA patients to the Winchester City Council led exercise referral scheme each year, despite the local trust (Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; HHFT) diagnosing approx. 1000 cases each year. With limited time and resources for GPs to effectively refer eligible patients to the programme, greater engagement with NHS hospitals may be necessary to increase the referral and uptake of such programmes. Accordingly, the HELP (Health Enhancing Lifestyle Programme) Hampshire Stroke Clinic (www.helphampshire.co.uk) was launched in March 2019 and provides individuals who have experienced a stroke with various community-based, accessible, group-focused exercise opportunities. Referrals primarily come from consultants, physiotherapists and occupational therapists from HHFT. The HELP Hampshire Stroke Clinic is one of the top 100 Health University initiatives (https://madeatuni.org.uk/). In it's first year, the clinic received 75 referrals from HHFT.
The purpose of this study is to document outcomes (physical, psycho-social, economic) to indicate the effectiveness of the HELP Hampshire exercise referral scheme.REC name
Wales REC 4
REC reference
20/WA/0143
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion