Fit for Function: A Community Wellness Program for Persons With Stroke

Fit for Function: A Community Wellness Program for Persons With Stroke

The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether persons with stroke participating in a 12-week community based wellness program for persons who have had a stroke, experience improved mobility (6 Minute Walk Test), balance, (The Short Portable Performance Test and Timed Up and Go), strength (JAMAR hand grip dynamometry), level of physical activity (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity), reintegration in community (Reintegration into Normal Living Index), self efficacy (Patient Activation Measure) and Quality of Life (Stroke Specific Quality of Life Scale) compared to persons who do not participate in the program.

The program will be delivered through a partnership between Hamilton Health Sciences, the YMCA and McMaster University. Participants will attend the YMCA for exercise sessions several times a week and receive education on how to take care of themselves after a stroke. The staff who will deliver the program will have specialized training on how to help people with stroke to exercise safely and effectively. Control group participants will be provided with YMCA memberships but will not have access to stroke specific education and group exercise classes.

Staff assisting the control group will be trained in safety and contraindications after stroke, but will not receive the additional specialized training in exercise/education programs for persons with stroke.

Inclusion Criteria:

• adults ≥18years
• living in the community
• able to ambulate ≥10 meters with or without an assistive device
• able to tolerate 60 minutes activity with rest intervals
• have clearance from a physician to participate in the program
• can independently follow instructions
• are not involved in active rehabilitation

Exclusion Criteria:

• musculoskeletal contraindications to exercise
• unstable cardiovascular conditions
• unstable medical conditions
• significant cognitive impairment