A Home-based Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Improve Function After Stroke

Summary

The traditional approach to physical activity promotion in people with stroke has always emphasized activities of a moderate-to-vigorous intensity (i.e. moving enough to breathe fast and break a sweat). For many people with stroke who often have difficulty with walking, achieving that intensity of activity is difficult. The result is that people with stroke spend over 80% of their day in sedentary behaviours (too much sitting). A growing body of research shows that too much sitting has negative effects on health including larger waist circumference, unhealthy levels of blood glucose and insulin, heart disease, lower levels of functioning, and premature death.

This project tests a new approach to activity promotion that focuses on increasing light-intensity activity throughout the whole day while reducing sitting time. The new intervention is titled "STand Up Frequently From Stroke (STUFFS)" and is aimed at increasing self-confidence among people with stroke to sit less, stand up and walk around at frequent intervals during the day. Studies in the general population have shown that standing up and walking around frequently are beneficially associated with health indicators (lower waist circumference, lower blood fat and glucose levels). Encouraging people with stroke to reduce sitting and increase light-intensity activities appears feasible and sustainable and might be a first step to increase their daily energy expenditure.

Conditions

• Stroke

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Sedentary behaviour intervention

The intervention is based on socio-cognitive theory and focuses on building and increasing confidence (self-efficacy) to make a behaviour change. Output from the activity monitor (i.e. activPAL) will provide visual feedback of usual activity. Action plans targeting areas of high sedentary behaviour will be developed. A wrist-worn Misfit activity monitor is used as a self-monitoring tool throughout the intervention. This commercially available device provides activity information in real time, and sets daily targets for physical activity. A checklist will be used to address: 1) use of walking aids; 2) incidence of falls; 3) review and progression of home exercise program; and 4) quality of walking. The intervention visits will be conducted by a physical therapist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

  collaborator OTHER

• Glenrose Foundation

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Alberta

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Patricia Manns, PT, PhD · University of Alberta

• Victor Ezeugwu, PT, MSc · University of Alberta

Study Design

Allocation

NA

Purpose

PREVENTION

Masking

NONE

Model

SINGLE_GROUP

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2016-08-31

Primary Completion

2017-08-31

Completion

2018-01-31

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations