Ms Shannon Cheary1,2, Dr Tamina Levy1,2, Dr Joyce S. Ramos1, A/Prof Belinda Lange1
1Flinders University, Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Bedford Park, Australia, 2Division of Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care, SALHN, SA Health, Bedford Park, Australia
Biography:
Shannon Cheary is a Senior Physiotherapist within Division of Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care, located at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide SA. She has worked across multiple rehabilitation services in SA and has a special interest in neurological rehabilitation. Shannon commenced her PhD studies in 2022 through Flinders University, which is investigating how interventions are implemented to address cardiorespiratory fitness following stroke and in particular, how aquatic therapy is utilised.
Abstract:
Background:
Clinical guidelines strongly recommend that all people following a stroke should be prescribed individually-tailored intervention to improve cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), however there is limited understanding on how this should be implemented.
Purpose:
To systematically review the evidence investigating the implementation of cardiorespiratory (CR) training in adults following a stroke and to understand how interventions are prescribed to address CRF.
Methods:
Seven databases were searched from inception until January 2024. Inclusion criteria were studies that included adults following a stroke, investigated CR training interventions and used standardised CRF assessments. Commentaries, reviews and non-English studies were excluded.
Results:
A total of 8565 studies were identified and 121 met the selection criteria. A broad range of participant demographics, stroke characteristics and clinical presentations were identified. Of the included studies, only 14% exclusively selected participants within 3-months following stroke and 3% included only participants requiring assistance to ambulate. Different standardised CRF assessments were used, and intervention parameters (frequency, intensity, type, time, volume and progressions) were highly variable or not specified. Three studies included qualitative participant perspectives regarding participation in CRF interventions.
Discussion:
By synthesising data according to timeline following stroke, we identified the training principles applied across timelines and limited intervention parameters for people requiring assistance to walk, or within 3 months following stroke.
Conclusions:
Broad CR training interventions and parameters are used to address CRF following stroke and experiences of participants is not well understood. Future studies should explore interventions in people requiring assistance to ambulate, or within sub-acute stroke timeframes.