The Feasibility of a Home-based Transition Intervention to Reduce Sedentary Behaviour and Improve Function Within the First Six Months After Stroke: STand Up Frequently From Stroke Trial
Trial Snapshot
- Phase
- Not Applicable
- Status
- Completed
- Sponsor
- University of Alberta
- Enrollment
- 34
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Retention
Study Overview
Brief 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.
Detailed Description
Background: Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability among Canadians, with about 405,000 individuals living with the effects of stroke and this number is expected to rise by 80% in the next 20 years [1]. Guidelines on activity promotion in people with stroke emphasize the attainment of 150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity activity per week [2].
Moving fast enough to 'break a sweat' is challenging for people with stroke who often have mobility deficits. Stroke survivors spend over 80% of their day in sedentary behaviours (too much sitting) [3-5]. Accumulating evidence indicates that sedentary behaviour has deleterious effects on health, regardless of exercise levels [6]. Targeting sedentary behaviour might be a feasible and sustainable way to change activity behaviour in people with stroke.
Purpose: This research aims to test the feasibility of a social cognitive theory-based intervention to reduce sedentary behaviour and improve light-intensity activity (such as standing and walking around frequently). The focus is on improving activity behaviour and will allow a systematic and staged reduction of contact with organised hospital care.
Methodological approach: Thirty-five persons with stroke will be enrolled. Outcomes including sedentary behaviour, physical activity and function will be measured at baseline (week 0), post-intervention (week 9) and follow-up (week 16). Activity behaviour (i.e. time sedentary, standing, and stepping) will be recorded for 7 days at each time point using activPAL activity monitor, validated in people with stroke [7]. Impairment from stroke will be assessed using Chedoke McMaster Stroke Assessment, which is a valid and reliable tool to measure impairment after stroke [8]. Cognitive status will be assessed using Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale, validated in stroke [9].
At the end of the intervention, feasibility outcomes such as reach (number enrolled / number eligible), retention (% enrolled who complete study), and satisfaction (exit interviews) with the program will be determined. Changes in sedentary, physical activity and functional outcomes across time (weeks 0, 9 and 16) will be tested.
Study Design
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Na
- Intervention Model
- Single Group
- Primary Purpose
- Prevention
- Masking
- None
Eligibility Criteria
- Ages
- 18 Years to — (Adult, Older Adult)
- Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria
- •ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke
- •within 1 month of discharge from hospital
- •able to stand up from a chair with or without gait aid and walk at least 5 metres
- •able to understand 2-step commands
Exclusion Criteria
- •Have other neurological problems besides stroke or medically unstable.
Arms & Interventions
STUFFS
Participants will undergo a sedentary behaviour intervention which includes breaking up prolonged sitting by standing and walking around for 5 minutes every half-hour, standing and walking during television commercial breaks, doing 2 sets of 10 sit-to-stand transitions three times per day, and going to the kitchen to grab some drink every hour. A wrist-worn Misfit activity monitor - a motivational tool that will track adherence to the intervention will be used throughout the intervention period (i.e. 8 weeks). This device which is commercially available provides activity feedback for the user in real time.
Intervention: Sedentary behaviour intervention (Behavioral)
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Retention
Time Frame: Follow-up (week 16)
Percentage of those enrolled who completed the program
Reach
Time Frame: Follow-up (week 16)
Number enrolled divided by number eligible
Satisfaction with program
Time Frame: Post-intervention (week 9)
Post-intervention interviews will be conducted to assess satisfaction with the program, participants' satisfaction as a percentage will be determined.
Secondary Outcomes
- Change in lower extremity impairment(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in stepping time(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in gait speed(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in self-efficacy scale(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in Quality-of-Life scale(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in sedentary time(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in number of sit-to-stand transitions(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in resting blood pressure(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in standing time(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in waist circumference(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))
- Change in cognitive scale(baseline - week 0 (within one month of discharge from inpatient rehab), week 9 (post-intervention), week 16 (follow-up))