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Abstract
Rehabilitation Training (ReTrain) is a group-based approach to functional training post stroke. ReTrain has recently been evaluated through a pilot randomised controlled trial.
Objective This article reports on the acceptability of the intervention as described by trial participants.
Design A qualitative approach was undertaken. Of the 45 participants recruited into the trial, 23 were randomised to receive ReTrain. Following a sampling strategy, 10 participants undertook 1:1 semistructured audio-recorded interviews. Transcripts were analysed following a modified Framework Approach.
Results Six themes were developed including exploration of: the physical and psychological impacts of training,the perceived mechanisms of change, the interaction of the group and approach of the trainer. A further theme considered the reported longer term impact of participation. Overall, the results indicated the acceptability of the intervention, but also key areas for potential modification in the definitive trial. These include a need to consider potential impact on both physical and psychological function, careful consideration of dosing and fatigue and the interpersonal factors that facilitate appropriate level of delivery, the trainer to participant ratio, and enhancing features that support continuation of activity postintervention.
Conclusion Overall, this study supports the acceptability of ReTrain and the development of a definitive trial evaluation of this intervention to full.
Trial registration number NCT02429180.
- qualitative research
- stroke
- rehabilitation
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Footnotes
Contributors MN provided qualitative expertise and led the qualitative component of the study, analysed qualitative data and drafted this article. SGD led the overall project, contributed to the design, analysis and write-up of the qualitative work; LP drafted the protocol prior to the funding application, conducted the qualitative interviews and contributed to the design, analysis and write-up of the qualitative work; RC was the trial manager and contributed to the recruitment of the qualitative participants and write-up of the work. AIS was the research fellow for the project, contributed to the recruitment of the participants and write-up of the work.
Funding This work was supported by the Stroke Association (grant no: TSA 2014-03).
Disclaimer The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Not required.
Ethics approval The full study was reviewed and approved by the National Research Ethics Service Committee South West Cornwall & Plymouth (REC Ref: 15/SW/04).
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.
Data sharing statement Participants did not consent for datasets to be stored or accessed outside of the research team. Therefore, no datasets have been made publicly available.
Collaborators Anne Forster, Rod S Taylor, Anne Spencer, Martin James, Rhoda Allison, Shirley Stevens, Chris Clark.