Co-design of a physical activity maintenance intervention for adults with stroke

Pedlow, Katy, Duff, Natalie, McDonough, Suzanne, McConnell, Karen, McFeeters, Claire, Carlin, Angela, Hughes, Noelene, Campbell, Zoe, Bell, Andrew, Stephenson, Aoife, Adamson, Gary, Hawkins, Jemma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1998-9547, Edwards, Charlene and Howes, Sarah 2026. Co-design of a physical activity maintenance intervention for adults with stroke. Disability and Rehabilitation 10.1080/09638288.2026.2723372

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Abstract

Purpose To co-design a physical activity (PA) maintenance programme for stroke survivors who have completed a community-based rehabilitation programme. Materials and methods A mixed methods approach, following the DECIPHer framework, incorporated stakeholder consultation (five focus groups) and intervention co-production (three workshops) involving stroke survivors, carers, physiotherapists, and exercise professionals. The final phase, intervention prototyping, remains ongoing and will be reported separately. Results Thirty-eight participants participated in the stakeholder consultation, with 11 participants participating in the co-production workshops. Focus groups results through inductive thematic analysis identified two themes: shifting realities of PA post stroke and motivation through community. Subthemes included barriers to PA, building confidence through PA, peer support and structuring a supportive post stroke PA pathway. Co-production workshops focused on identifying key characteristics of the intervention resulting in the development of a group-based exercise programme in a gym setting, led by exercise professionals and supported by a physiotherapist. Conclusions Co-design with key stakeholders informed the development of a prototype PA maintenance programme that reflects the priorities of those who will use and deliver it. Social connection and appropriate stroke-specific training for providers may improve long-term engagement in PA and inform future implementation and evaluation.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Published Online
Status:	In Press
Schools:	Schools > Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education) Schools > School of Social and Spatial Sciences Research Institutes & Centres > Centre For Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer)
Publisher:	Taylor and Francis Group
ISSN:	0963-8288
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	8 September 2026
Date of Acceptance:	19 August 2026
Last Modified:	08 Sep 2026 10:15
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/189461

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