Exercise and diet programs delivered via video calls for stroke survivors

Exercise and a good diet after stroke will reduce the risk of having another stroke in the future.

Researchers are testing programs for people who have had a stroke. The aim is to increase your physical activity and improve your diet. Best of all, these programs are delivered over the internet so there’s no need to leave your home to participate.

We’ve already done some research where we listened stroke survivors to gather their knowledge, opinions and experiences. This has helped us develop programs that are specifically designed to meet the needs of stroke survivors.

Download participant information statement

Click here to download participant information statement

What would you be asked to do?

If you agree to participate, you will be randomly allocated (like tossing a coin) to receive one of the following:

Advice and education about exercise and diet

Including written pamphlets and links to online information

An exercise program

Designed to suit your level of ability, supervised by a qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist with experience in stroke.

We will ask you to:
For the first 3 months

  • Complete 2 supervised exercise sessions each week in your own home. Exercise sessions will be supervised by video telehealth on your laptop or tablet. We can loan you a tablet device if you need one.
  • Follow an exercise plan on the other days of the week. We will work with you to develop an exercise plan that suits you.

For the second 3 months

  • Continue with your exercise plan on your own. We will call you each week to provide advice and encouragement.
Specialised diet counselling and support

Delivered by qualified dietitian.

We will ask you to:

  • Follow a modified Mediterranean-style diet.
  • We will work with you to develop a diet plan that suits you. We will send you some samples of different foods to try, menu plans and shopping lists.
  • We will contact you using video-calls on your laptop or tablet every 1 to 2 weeks to provide individual diet counselling and advice.
Both the exercise program and specialised diet support

Designed to suit your level of ability, the exercise program is supervised by a qualified physiotherapist or exercise physiologist with experience in stroke. The diet counselling and support will be delivered by qualified dietitian.

We will ask you to do the activities for both the exercise program and the diet counselling and support groups as outlined above.

How will the success of the research programs be measured?

So we can measure if the program works, we will ask you to do the following before you start the program, and again every 3 months while you are involved in the study (for 12 months all together):

  1. Answer some questions about your stroke, your medications, your health, how much exercise you do and your diet
  2. Take regular blood pressure measures for 1 week at home (we will send you a monitor and show you how to use it)
  3. Wear an activity monitor on your thigh for 1 week to measure how active you are (we will send the monitor to you)
  4. We might also ask you to do an interview with one of our research team about your experience in being involved in the study.

Who can participate?

You are suitable to participate if you:

  • are aged over 18 years
  • have had a stroke or TIA in the last 10 years
  • are able to walk at least short distances without someone helping you
  • have an internet connection and either a laptop computer or tablet device at home (we may be able to provide one if you don’t)
  • have medical clearance from your doctor to exercise (we will help arrange this)
  • are living in Australia

Register your interest

To find out more or to register your interest please contact the Stroke Research Register, Hunter on (02) 4042 0093 (strokeregister@hmri.org.au)