To describe and evaluate interventions that reduce sedentary behaviour after stroke.
A systematic review and meta-analysis. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023476972). Five databases were searched. Quantitative studies that investigated sedentary behaviour interventions among stroke survivors were considered. The primary outcome was self-reported or device-measured sedentary behaviour. Two reviewers screened the studies for inclusion. A meta-summary of the included studies was completed, and a meta-analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.0 to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. A systematic review and meta-analysis. This review was prospectively registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023476972). Five databases were searched. Quantitative studies that investigated sedentary behaviour interventions among stroke survivors were considered. The primary outcome was self-reported or device-measured sedentary behaviour. Two reviewers screened the studies for inclusion. A meta-summary of the included studies was completed, and a meta-analysis was performed using SPSS version 28.0 to determine the effectiveness of the intervention.
Two thousand seven hundred twenty-nine studies were identified from five electronic database searches. Ten studies with 408 participants aged 55.8 to 71.6 years met the review criteria. Eight randomised control trials, one single-arm feasibility study and one longitudinal study. As part of their interventions, all studies included some form of behavioural change strategies, with activity monitoring and providing feedback to the participants being the most common strategies. The included papers had moderate to high methodological quality. Across the studies, participants within the intervention group spent less time (mean of 93.4 minutes per day) in sedentary behaviour when compared to the control group, who spent an overall of 6483.8 minutes per day; the pooled meta-analysis results showed a significant effect with a mean effect size of - 56.53 (95% CI -101.1, -11.9; p = 0.01).
The results showed that the interventions reduced the amount of time stroke survivors spent in sedentary behaviours. This underscores the potential of these interventions to significantly impact stroke rehabilitation. Most of the studies included are either pilot or feasibility studies. Future studies with robust experimental designs are needed to fully explore and harness the potential benefits presented within this review, inspiring further research and innovation in this field.
The traditional public health message is to promote physical activity post-stroke, but evidence has shown that it does not mitigate the effects of sedentary behaviour. Additionally, stroke sequelae make it difficult for stroke survivors to attain the recommended physical activity level. Our review shows that sedentary behaviour interventions reduce the time stroke survivors spend on sedentary behaviour. Therefore, practitioners should consider promoting such interventions in this group.
Stroke Survivors
Behavioural Change
