Users’ experience of community-based power assisted exercise: a transition from NHS to third sector services

Figures & data

Figure 1. Console of the PAE machine

Table I. PAE machines

Machine Name	Actions assisted	Image
Chest and Legs	Shoulder; mid-range flexion and extension Elbow; mid-range flexion and extension Hip; mid-range flexion and extension Knee; flexion and extension
Seated climber	Shoulder; flexion into elevation Elbow; flexion into end range extension Hip; mid-range flexion and extension Knee; flexion and extension
Seated abductor	Hip; abduction and adduction Shoulder; horizontal abduction and adduction
Side bend stepper	Trunk; lateral flexion Reach or push down through arms Hip; flexion and extension Knee; flexion and extension
Rotatory torso	Trunk rotation Elbows and shoulders supported in flexion
Tummy crunch	Trunk; flexion and extension Hips are flexed Shoulders are elevated

Table II. Summary of demographic and condition-related data

	Mean (SD)
Age (years)	60.12 (10.69)
Time since stroke (months)	48.12 (31.92)
	Number (%)
Gender Male Female	6 (75%) 2 (25%)
Marital status Married/partnership Separated/divorced Single	4 (50%) 2 (25%) 2 (25%)
Employment status Employed (paid) Unable to work (disability) Retired	0 5 (62.5%) 3 (37.5%)
Ethnicity White British	8 (100%)
Functional Ambulation Category 0–2 3-4 5	3 (37.5%) 3 (37.5%) 2 (25%)

Table III. Individual condition and impairment data

Code	Age	Gender	Time since stroke (months)	Stroke impairment	FAC
M1	53	Male	16	Right hemiparesis	3/5
M2	76	Male	42	Left hemiparesis	0/5
M3	68	Male	48	Right hemiparesis	3/5
M4	52	Male	82	Ataxia	3/5
M5	62	Male	14	Left hemiparesis	2/5
M6	62	Male	18	Left hemiparesis	2/5
F1	42	Female	98	Right hemiparesis	5/5
F2	66	Female	67	Right hemiparesis	5/5

Table IV. Expanded individual data and context

Participant	Lifestyle prior to stroke	Current lifestyle	Centre membership	Therapy and exercise routine
M1 (Mike)	Employed as a senior manager in industry. Was in the process of moving house when stroke occurred. Recalled being very sporty as a young male but had “no time spare” during adult life.	Lives with wife who goes out to work and was described as the “breadwinner.” Grown up children live further afield.	Signposted at the end of NHS rehabilitation by Occupational Therapist approximately one year prior to interview. Visits the centre 2–3 days per week.	X2 sessions of PAE per visit (4–6 per week). 10 minutes on assisted pedals per visit. Unable to use treadmill. Physio session x1 per month.
M2 (Tom)	Retired joiner and craftsman. Active retirement including holidays abroad, DIY and gardening.	Lives with wife and has carers to help with ADL twice per day. Goes to church and enjoys frequent visits from family and friends.	Daughter had heard about it through an incidental conversation whilst out shopping. Joined the centre one year prior to the interview. Visits the centre twice per week.	X1 session of PAE per visit (2 per week). 5 minutes on assisted pedals per visit. Unable to use treadmill. Intermittent access to NHS physiotherapy.
M3 (Syd)	Retired IT consultant and analytics manager. Had been retired for four years prior to stroke. Active retirement including gardening, DIY, lip reading course and busy social life.	Lives with wife and is independent in all self-care. Active member of PPI and service user groups in the area. Visits the centre twice per week and also does Pilates.	Was initially introduced to the equipment at Sheffield Hallam University and an incidental conversation with a taxi driver made him aware of the centre and its facilities.	X2 sessions of PAE per week. 2 × 10 minutes on assisted pedals per week. Unable to use treadmill. Attends pilates x1 per week at a separate venue.
M4 (Pete)	Self-employed as a tradesman. Busy family life with two teenage children. Loved sport, especially golf.	Unable to work as tradesman since stroke. Volunteers at a charity shop twice a week and enjoys seeing his now adult children.	Heard about it through a family friend. Visits the centre five days per week.	X5 sessions of PAE per week. Arrives early to access machines and sometimes extends to 10 minutes per machine. Does not use assisted pedals. Unable to use treadmill.
M5 (Colin)	Retired falconer. Frequent holidays to USA with his wife to visit son. Busy social life with friends.	Gradual resumption of social contact with friends. Feels unable to travel overseas.	NHS psychologist recommended the centre. Visits the centre twice per week.	X2 sessions of PAE per week. 2 × 10 minutes on assisted pedals per week. Unable to use treadmill.
M6 (George)	Employed as an administrator for electronics company. Enjoyed visiting art galleries and often walked lengthy distances between exhibitions. Lived with elderly parents.	Unable to return to work. Tried to resume catching bus to the shops but fearful of falling and also experiences narcolepsy on occasions. Lives with elderly mum as father passed away. Self -caring in ADL.	Stroke Association representative recommended the centre. Joined approximately one year prior to interview. Currently visits twice per week.	X2 sessions of PAE per week. 2 × 10 minutes on assisted pedals per week. X2 sessions with the centre physio per month.
F1 (Liz)	Two weeks post-partum when stroke occurred. Active lifestyle which included running a small holding and frequent exercise sessions.	Initial impairment was severe, has gradually regained mobility and now walks 10 km per day. Still lives at the small holding and is mother to her son and a volunteer at the centre.	Ex-partner had heard about the centre and she joined approximately two years following the stroke. Attends as user and volunteer helper 4–5 days per week.	X4 sessions PAE per week. Does not use assisted pedals or treadmill.

Table

· Can you tell me about your stroke? o When did it happen? o What do you remember about your early recovery? · Before your stroke how active were you? What activities did you enjoy? · How did your stroke affect the exercise or activities that you could do? · When did you start coming to the centre? What facilities do you use here? · What do you want to achieve through exercise? · What are your thoughts on exercising with power assisted equipment? · Do you think the machine assisted exercise has had any effect on your life outside the centre, for example: · Hobbies · Vocational activities · Family roles · Social life · Have you got any ideas or suggestions to enhance or develop the exercise equipment? · Have you any ideas for developing or improving your exercise programme? · What are your future exercise goals and plans?

Data availability statement

Raw data generated during this research study is stored in audio and electronic written format at Sheffield Hallam University. Derived data supporting the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (RY) on request.