Stroke Self-Management Delivered by Rehabilitation Assistants Within an Early Supported Discharge Service

A Stroke Self-Management Programme Delivered by Rehabilitation Assistants Within an Early Supported Discharge Service: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

This feasibility study evaluates whether it is possible to run a larger scale study to investigate the use of a self-management programme with adults who have recently had a stroke. Half of the participants will receive support with self-management from stroke therapists, while the other half will receive it from rehabilitation assistants.

Supporting self-management post-stroke is a key priority in healthcare policy, but not yet embedded into the provision of stroke rehabilitation. Barriers to implementation include time and resource. The feasibility of using the Bridges Stroke Self-Management Programme within an Early Supported Discharge Service and delivery by Rehabilitation Assistants is unknown.

The aim of this study was to evaluate key trial parameters to inform the protocol of a future definitive trial into the effectiveness of Bridges delivered by rehabilitation assistants within an Early Supported Discharge Service.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical diagnosis of new stroke
• Being referred to the ESD service
• Medically stable
• Able to give informed consent
• Can follow a two-stage command

Exclusion Criteria:

• Being discharged to a care home