Physiotherapists’ perspectives on aerobic exercise early after stroke: A preliminary study

ABSTRACT

Aerobic exercise is recognized as part of comprehensive stroke rehabilitation in best-practice and clinical guidelines, yet many individuals remain physically inactive during their hospitalization. The purpose of this study was to identify the perspectives of physiotherapists on aerobic exercise prescription and implementation at in-patient stroke rehabilitation centers with and without a structured aerobic exercise program. A survey was conducted at three Canadian rehabilitation centers to evaluate physiotherapist perceptions of individuals recovering from stroke, the practice environment, and their training on aerobic exercise in stroke. Physiotherapists at centers without a structured aerobic exercise program (n = 10) reported the lack of necessary resources and therapeutic support staff and the individuals’ physical impairment as the greatest barriers. In contrast, physiotherapists at the center with a structured aerobic exercise program (n = 6) reported therapy selection (insufficient time in a single physiotherapy session) and concern for the individuals’ cardiovascular risk and cognitive impairment as the greatest barriers. Both groups of physiotherapists indicated that fatigue was a barrier. Only physiotherapists at the center with a structured aerobic exercise program had received continuing education on aerobic exercise in stroke. The lack of resources at rehabilitation centers without a structured aerobic exercise program needs to be addressed. There remains a need for continuing education on aerobic training in stroke, specifically on assessment and prescription using a standardized approach.

KEYWORDS:

• Delivery of health care
• exercise
• physical activity
• rehabilitation
• stroke
• therapy

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the assistance and contribution of the staff at each rehabilitation center.

Funding

This study was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Erik Prout is supported by the Government of Ontario and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. We also acknowledge the support of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (University Health Network).

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Supplementary Material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Erik Prout is supported by the Government of Ontario and Toronto Rehabilitation Institute. We also acknowledge the support of the Toronto Rehabilitation Institute (University Health Network).