Background: After stroke, people living in the community benefit from ongoing exercise and social communication activities to address the impacts of stroke on their health. While community exercise programs are known to provide physical and social benefit people to people post-stroke, the addition of a structured communication component provided by a SLP to an evidence based exercise program, Fitness and Mobility Exercise after stroke (FAME) is unknown. Further, it is not yet known how combining communication and movement influences perceived experiences and engagement of people post-stroke in community-based programs.
Aims: This pilot program aimed to design, implement, and evaluate a combined exercise and communication program, called Conversations on the Move.
Methods: The program was designed and implemented by physiotherapy and speech pathology staff and students at a local university. The program included an hour of exercise and half an hour of conversation over refreshments, with the program running for four weeks in total. People post-stroke were invited to participate in the program and were supported to access appropriate transport to and from the venue. Evaluation was undertaken using in-person focus groups. A total of five people participated in two focus groups. All focus groups were audio-recorded to allow for transparent and reliable analysis. Data were subject to thematic analysis.
Results: Initial analysis of the audio data reveals three main themes; 1) the value of programs for routine and purpose, 2) a community of shared experience, and 3) belonging as a motivator for participation. Further analysis will be undertaken following the completion of the remaining transcription.
Conclusion: Combined communication and movement programs present as meaningful and impactful method of community engagement for people post-stroke. Recommendations can be made for local stakeholders involved in such programs regarding the facilitation of social communication, and potential advances in both program engagement and participant benefit.