Background and aims: Older adults are at higher risk of stroke and are more likely to be insufficiently active. Despite demonstrated benefits of physical activity post-stroke, there is limited evidence of consistent support offered specifically for older adults. It is therefore timely and important to consider the policy and practice domains of physical activity within community stroke-rehabilitation.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted. A total of 8 electronic databases, appropriate international stroke policy guidance documents and websites were searched. Initially, authors reviewed 25 titles, abstracts and policy aims independently to assesses appropriateness to the inclusion criteria and research questions.
Results: After removing duplicates, a total of 800 research articles were screened, as well as relevant international policy documents and clinical guidance. Preliminary findings indicate that stroke policy and guidance is becoming more activity-inclusive, however recommendations for being active are often made within the context of generalised guidelines and focus predominantly on structured activity via rehabilitation in acute settings. Within the research, many RCTs demonstrate great potential for post-stroke exercise-based programmes in adults/older adults, yet there is limited evidence of integration of such interventions in everyday community rehabilitation practice.
Conclusions: A comprehensive map of policy, research and practice is being created to demonstrate the current landscape of the integration of physical activity and exercise for older adult stroke survivors. There appears to be some contestation, however, between recommendations in stroke policy and guidance, and further insight into the impact of this, on both services and stroke survivors, is urgently required.