Community cycling exercise for stroke survivors is feasible and acceptable

Background: Physical activity is recommended after stroke but levels for stroke survivors are typically low. The use of indoor recumbent cycling, delivered through local government leisure facilities, may increase access to exercise among stroke survivors. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of an indoor cycling program delivered through existing local government services. Methods: Participants were recruited through stroke liaison nurses and public advertising. After a home visit to assess eligibility and conduct psychological and general health assessments, participants attended their local leisure center for an initial fitness test and short battery of physical tests. Then, an 8 week training program was designed with weekly goals. Following the program the assessments were retaken along with an evaluation questionnaire. In-depth, semi-structured, interviews were conducted with 15 participants and five fitness coaches. Results: One hundred fifteen individuals volunteered to participate during a 10-month recruitment period, 77 met the inclusion criteria and consented, 66/77 (86%) completed the program including all nine non-ambulatory participants. The program and procedures (recruitment and outcome measures) were feasible and acceptable to participants (81% reported following the program). Participants were generally very positive about the experience. Significant improvements in sit-to-stand capacity (Mpre = 25.2 s, Mpost = 19.0 s, p = .002), activities of daily living (NEADL, Mpre = 12.2, Mpost = 13.2, p = .002), psychosocial functioning (SAQOL, Mpre = 3.82, Mpost = 4.15, p = .001), energy (SAQOL, Mpre = 3.75, Mpost = 4.02, p = .018) and depression (GHQ, Mpre = .97, Mpost = .55, p = .009) were observed. Conclusion: A cycling-based exercise program delivered through local leisure center staff and facilities was shown to be feasible and acceptable for people living with stroke.背景：脑卒中（stroke）后推荐进行身体活动，但脑卒中幸存者的身体活动水平普遍偏低。依托地方政府运营的休闲健身场馆开展的室内卧式骑行运动（recumbent cycling），或可提升脑卒中幸存者的运动参与机会。 目的：本研究旨在评估依托现有地方政府公共服务开展的室内骑行运动项目的可接受性与可行性。 方法：研究对象通过脑卒中联络护士及公开广告招募。研究人员先开展家庭访视，以评估其入组资格并完成心理学与整体健康状况评估；随后受试者前往所在辖区的休闲健身中心，完成初始体能测试与一系列简短的躯体功能测试。此后，研究人员为受试者制定了带有周度目标的8周训练计划。训练结束后，研究人员再次开展前述评估，并同步发放评估问卷。此外，研究人员对15名受试者与5名健身教练开展了半结构化深度访谈。 结果：在为期10个月的招募周期内，共有115人自愿参与研究；其中77人符合入组标准并签署了知情同意书，66/77（86%）的受试者完成了全部项目，包括全部9名无法独立行走（non-ambulatory）的受试者。研究显示，该项目及相关流程（招募流程与结局指标评估）具备可行性与可接受性：81%的受试者表示严格遵循了项目计划。受试者普遍对本次研究体验持高度肯定态度。研究观察到受试者在多项指标上出现显著改善：坐站转换能力（前测均值Mpre=25.2秒，后测均值Mpost=19.0秒，p=0.002）、日常生活活动能力（NEADL，前测均值Mpre=12.2，后测均值Mpost=13.2，p=0.002）、社会心理功能（SAQOL，前测均值Mpre=3.82，后测均值Mpost=4.15，p=0.001）、精力水平（SAQOL，前测均值Mpre=3.75，后测均值Mpost=4.02，p=0.018）以及抑郁症状（GHQ，前测均值Mpre=0.97，后测均值Mpost=0.55，p=0.009）。 结论：依托地方休闲健身中心工作人员与场馆开展的骑行类运动项目，对脑卒中患者而言具备可行性与可接受性。