Abstract
Objective
To explore the feasibility of tailored implementation of a stroke physical activity behaviour change intervention (Physical Activity Routines After Stroke (PARAS)) and the feasibility of the intervention.
Design
Feasibility study applying mixed methods.
Setting
UK stroke services.
Participants
Four stroke rehabilitation teams comprising 34 healthcare professionals.
Intervention
We applied a tailored implementation process informed by the Integrated Theory-based Framework for Intervention Tailoring Strategies to the PARAS intervention. Teams each attended two facilitated workshops (face-to-face/hybrid/online) identifying barriers and facilitators (determinants) to PARAS implementation to enable development of tailored implementation plans. Plans were applied and reviewed.
Main measures
Feasibility of the tailored implementation process and intervention was explored via analysis of online questionnaire responses and thematic analysis of workshop and review session content. Inductive analysis identified determinants to implementation plan completion and enabled mapping of promising implementation strategies and their operationalisation and intervention development needs.
Results
Thirty-four healthcare professionals participated across four teams. The facilitated, tailored implementation process was deemed feasible. All teams reported partially achieving implementation plans. Factors influencing implementation plan success included: motivation; stakeholder involvement; leadership and planning; intervention delivery skills. Implementation strategies mapped to factors included: assess for readiness; build a coalition; identify champions; train for leadership; and develop an implementation plan and ongoing training. Intervention adaptations identified included intervention tailoring and digitising resources.
Conclusion
Our implementation process and the PARAS intervention were feasible with moderate amendments. Our findings enabled development of a model to support tailored implementation of PARAS and identified intervention development needs to guide future evaluation.
To explore the feasibility of tailored implementation of a stroke physical activity behaviour change intervention (Physical Activity Routines After Stroke (PARAS)) and the feasibility of the intervention.
Design
Feasibility study applying mixed methods.
Setting
UK stroke services.
Participants
Four stroke rehabilitation teams comprising 34 healthcare professionals.
Intervention
We applied a tailored implementation process informed by the Integrated Theory-based Framework for Intervention Tailoring Strategies to the PARAS intervention. Teams each attended two facilitated workshops (face-to-face/hybrid/online) identifying barriers and facilitators (determinants) to PARAS implementation to enable development of tailored implementation plans. Plans were applied and reviewed.
Main measures
Feasibility of the tailored implementation process and intervention was explored via analysis of online questionnaire responses and thematic analysis of workshop and review session content. Inductive analysis identified determinants to implementation plan completion and enabled mapping of promising implementation strategies and their operationalisation and intervention development needs.
Results
Thirty-four healthcare professionals participated across four teams. The facilitated, tailored implementation process was deemed feasible. All teams reported partially achieving implementation plans. Factors influencing implementation plan success included: motivation; stakeholder involvement; leadership and planning; intervention delivery skills. Implementation strategies mapped to factors included: assess for readiness; build a coalition; identify champions; train for leadership; and develop an implementation plan and ongoing training. Intervention adaptations identified included intervention tailoring and digitising resources.
Conclusion
Our implementation process and the PARAS intervention were feasible with moderate amendments. Our findings enabled development of a model to support tailored implementation of PARAS and identified intervention development needs to guide future evaluation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 17 |
| Journal | Clinical Rehabilitation |
| Early online date | 3 Oct 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 3 Oct 2025 |
