RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Feasibility of a Physiotherapy Programme, With Integrated telerehabIlitation to Increase Rehabilitation Time and Improve Motor Function

Around two-thirds of people who have a stroke are left with some level of disability. Doing lots of rehabilitation, especially in the first six months, can help people recover better. However, it's often hard to get enough therapy through standard NHS services. This study is testing a 16-week home-based physiotherapy programme called PRACTISE. It aims to help stroke survivors do more exercise on their own, using a special online platform, setting personal goals, and learning self-management skills. We hope this will improve their recovery, reduce disability, and help them get back to a fulfilling life. We're also checking how easy it is for people to take part and if it works well.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Glasgow Caledonian University

Enrolment target

Start

01 Dec 2025

Estimated completion

10 Jul 2027

Stroke Patients Stroke

What is this study about?

When someone has a stroke, it can cause lasting changes, and about two out of three people are left with some kind of disability. Getting regular physiotherapy and rehabilitation is really important because it helps people get back to doing things they enjoy and live as independently as possible. We know that the more rehabilitation you do, especially in the first six months after a stroke, the better your recovery can be.

However, it can be tricky for the NHS to provide as much therapy as guidelines suggest, which is often up to three hours a day, five days a week. This means that many people might not get enough therapy to help them recover as much as they could. So, we need to find new ways to support people to do more exercise and therapy at home, beyond their usual NHS appointments.

This study, called PRACTISE, is looking at a new 16-week programme designed for people recovering from a stroke at home. The main goal is to see if this programme can help people increase the amount of therapy they do, which could then improve their recovery and reduce their disability. We'll be comparing this new approach with the usual care people receive from their NHS teams.

Key takeaways

Stroke recovery can be improved with more physiotherapy, especially early on.
This study tests a 16-week home-based programme for stroke survivors.
It combines online exercises, goal setting, and self-management skills.
The goal is to increase therapy time and improve recovery and reduce disability.
Your experiences will help shape future stroke care in the UK.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for people who have recently had a stroke. You need to be at least 16 years old and have had your stroke within the last two months. You should also be moving from hospital care to physiotherapy at home in the community.

It's important that you or someone helping you can use a computer, tablet, or mobile phone, and that you can understand and communicate in English. You also need to be able to agree to take part in the study yourself. If you're already in another study involving physical exercise, or if you're going into a nursing home long-term, this study might not be suitable for you.

We are also interested in hearing from family members or carers of people taking part in the study, and physiotherapists who deliver the programme, to understand their experiences.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Have I had a stroke within the last two months?
Am I at least 16 years old?
Am I currently moving from hospital to home-based physiotherapy?
Can I use a computer or phone, or can someone help me?
Can I understand and speak English well enough for the study?
Am I able to give my informed consent to take part?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part, you'll be assigned by chance to one of two groups. One group will receive the usual care from their NHS team. The other group will take part in the 16-week PRACTISE programme alongside their usual care. This programme involves a mix of home visits and online video calls with a physiotherapist (5 home visits and 4 remote appointments over 16 weeks).

During these appointments, you'll get a personalised online exercise plan, help with setting your own recovery goals, and advice on how to manage your rehabilitation day-to-day. You'll also get a workbook to guide you with tips on fitting therapy into your life and dealing with challenges. Throughout the study, we will check your progress with assessments at four different times to look at things like walking, arm movement, and your general well-being. The total duration of active participation for each person is 16 weeks, with follow-up assessments.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might offer the benefit of receiving extra support and guidance for your physiotherapy, which could potentially improve your recovery and reduce disability more effectively than usual care. You'll also be contributing to important research that could help future stroke survivors. There are no major known risks associated with the exercises, which are designed to be safe and personalised. As with any exercise, there's a small chance of muscle soreness or fatigue. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (4)

NHS Lanarkshire
Verified postcode
Bothwell, United Kingdom· Recruiting
NHS Tayside
Verified postcode
Dundee, United Kingdom· Recruiting
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Verified postcode
Glasgow, United Kingdom· Recruiting
NHS Forth Valley
Verified postcode
Stirling, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is 'telerehabilitation'?

Telerehabilitation means doing your rehabilitation remotely, using technology like video calls or online programmes, often from your own home.

How is this different from my usual NHS physiotherapy?

This programme aims to give you extra support and tools, like online exercises and goal-setting strategies, to do more therapy at home than you might get through standard NHS appointments alone.

What does 'home-based' mean?

It means most of the programme's activities and exercises will be done in your own home, with guidance from physiotherapists through visits and online calls.

What if I'm not good with computers?

The study offers help for people who might need assistance with technology, so you don't have to be an expert to take part.

Will I have to pay for anything?

No, all aspects of participating in the study programme are provided free of charge.

How to find out more

Colin B Shore, PhD

colin.shore@gcu.ac.uk +44 141 331 3807 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.