Background: Participation in meaningful leisure activities is significantly impacted following stroke, which can lead to decreased quality of life and psychological wellbeing. Despite this being a common community rehabilitation goal following stroke, re-engagement with leisure activities is poorly addressed within Australian rehabilitation services.
Aims: This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effect of a leisure reintegration group program for people with stroke and stroke-like conditions within a community rehabilitation service.
Methods: A single-site, pre- and post-test feasibility study was conducted at a community rehabilitation service in Queensland, Australia. Adapted from the Leisure Content Education Model, three cohorts participated in a semi-structured program, each completing eight sessions over four weeks. Clinical and feasibility outcomes were collected. Clinical effect was measured on the Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire (NLQ) and Leisure Satisfaction Measure (LSM); feasibility was assessed by collecting data on recruitment and intervention adherence, determining staffing requirements, and monitoring acceptability and safety during the program.
Results: Of the n=14 consenting participants to complete the program, nine completed all outcome measures. Mean change scores for the LSM was 4.25 (95% CI -8.53 to 17.02, p=0.46) and the NLQ -3.63 (95% CI -8.27 to 1.02, p=0.11). The program was well attended (70%), deemed acceptable by participants, and safe and feasible to deliver within the publicly-funded service.
Conclusion: Providing a leisure reintegration group program met an identified need, developed client and carer capacity, and was feasible to deliver within a community rehabilitation service for clients with stroke and stroke-like conditions. A sufficiently powered trial is warranted to examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this intervention.