Article

After stroke, physical activity and physical fitness levels are low,
impacting on health, activity and participation. It is unclear how best to
support stroke survivors to increase physical activity. Little is known about the
barriers and facilitators to physical activity after stroke. Thus, our aim was to
explore stroke survivors' perceived barriers and facilitators to physical
activity. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews with 13 ambulatory stroke survivors
exploring perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity post stroke
were conducted in participants' homes, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim.
The Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) informed content analysis of the
interview transcripts. RESULTS: Data saturation was reached after interviews with
13 participants (median age of 76 years (inter-quartile range (IQR) = 69-83
years). The median time since stroke was 345 d (IQR = 316-366 d). The most
commonly reported TDF domains were "beliefs about capabilities", "environmental
context and resources" and "social influence". The most commonly reported
perceived motivators were: social interaction, beliefs of benefits of exercise,
high self-efficacy and the necessity of routine behaviours. The most commonly
reported perceived barriers were: lack of professional support on discharge from
hospital and follow-up, transport issues to structured classes/interventions,
lack of control and negative affect. CONCLUSIONS: Stroke survivors perceive
several different barriers and facilitators to physical activity. Stroke services
need to address barriers to physical activity and to build on facilitators to
promote physical activity after stroke. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: Physical
activity post stroke can improve physical fitness and function, yet physical
activity remains low among stroke survivors. Understanding stroke survivors'
perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity is essential to develop
targeted interventions to increase physical activity. Beliefs about capabilities,
environmental context and resources and social influences were the mostly
commonly report influences on stroke survivors' perceived barriers and
facilitators to physical activity.

Langue : ANGLAIS