The ward-based In-Reach service improves referral and uptake numbers of people with stroke to the Edinburgh Leisure Exercise After Stroke programme; A service evaluation.

Abstract

Question: Did the In-Reach service impact the referral and uptake numbers for the Edinburgh Leisure Exercise After Stroke (ELEAS) programme? Did the ELEAS programme impact the participants' functional ability, quality of life and mental well-being? Design: Service evaluation using a retrospective study design. Secondary analysis of data collected during the In-Reach service at the Royal Infirmary Hospital, Edinburgh (RIE) and the ELEAS programme. Data was analysed using SPSS software and relevant tests. Participants: Admissions to the RIE stroke ward during 2014 who accessed and completed the outcome measures at the In-Reach service and the ELEAS programme (n=25). Study Context: The In-Reach service involved a stroke-specialised exercise instructor offering exercise sessions, advice and sign-up to the ELEAS programme. Outcome Measures: Data included the number of referrals for the In-Reach service and subsequent uptake of the ELEAS programme, and results from the 10 Metre Walk test (10MWT), Timed Up-and-Go test (TUAG), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) and the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). The previous five years referral and uptake numbers to the ELEAS programme were included. Results: The In-Reach service referral numbers were higher than the previous five years average referrals to the ELEAS programme, with uptake of the ELEAS programme also higher. The results of the ELEAS programme after 3 months indicated significant improvements in the 10MWT, TUAG, WEMWBS and most of the SIS domains (statistical significance level was set at p=0.05). Conclusions: The In-Reach service offers a promising service development to improve the referral pathway and participation uptake to the ELEAS programme. The ELEAS programme results were inconclusive due to lack of control group comparative, therefore, more research is necessary.