Hobbs Rehabilitation Ltd.

Physical activity is known to be beneficial for supporting health and wellbeing. A number of schemes and strategies have been developed to improve uptake of physical activity in the United Kingdom (UK) population, including the 'Everybody active, every day' framework. This framework includes recommendations for referral from a healthcare professional for people to become more active. For those with an existing health condition or other risk factors that could lead to health problems, such referrals may be to an 'exercise referral scheme' (ERS). However, there are often limited opportunities for individuals diagnosed with stroke and/or a Transient Ischaemic Attack (TIA to engage in rigorously monitored, exercise and behaviour change opportunities once they have been discharged from the National Health Service (NHS). In Winchester, General Practitioners (GPs) refer approximately 10 to 20 stroke/TIA patients to the Winchester City Council led exercise referral scheme each year, despite the local trust (Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; HHFT) diagnosing approx. 1000 cases each year. With limited time and resources for GPs to effectively refer eligible patients to the programme, greater engagement with NHS hospitals may be necessary to increase the referral and uptake of such programmes. Accordingly, the Health Enhancing Lifestyle Programme (HELP) Hampshire Stroke Clinic (www.helphampshire.co.uk) was launched in March 2019 and provides individuals who have experienced a stroke with various community-based, accessible, group-focused exercise opportunities. Referrals primarily come from consultants, physiotherapists and occupational therapists from HHFT.
The purpose of this study is to document outcomes (physical, psycho-social, economic) to indicate the effectiveness of the HELP Hampshire exercise referral scheme.

This study intends to recruit stroke patients to either wearing a lower-limb compression (GMove) suit, daily, for 12 weeks, or to a normal therapy control group. Vascular, functional and quality of life outcomes will be collected before and after randomisation.

Robotic devices may be used to help the gait and balance of individuals with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). However, as such devices may allow individuals to engage in physical activity in an upright position, there may be significant benefit on the vascular health of patients with SCI. This study will assess the effect of a robotic-assisted gait-training (exoskeleton) program on central and peripheral hemodynamic markers in people with SCI.