Co-design and evaluation of a physical activity maintenance intervention for people with stroke; A feasibility study

Background

Promoting and maintaining Physical Activity (PA) remains a major challenge worldwide, particularly for stroke survivors. As a result, they are at higher risk of having a second stroke and developing a range of chronic health conditions. Despite their desire to participate in PA, numerous barriers exist. Whilst local charitable organisations provide short term programmes for people with stroke, the challenge arises post completion, as stroke survivors struggle to sustain PA over the longer term. Therefore research is warrented to determine the most suitable method of supporting PA in the long term with the stroke population.

Aim

To co-design and evaluate an intervention to support PA in the longer term.

Objectives

Method

The proposed project design includes a range of methods to achieve the aims: a scoping review, stakeholder consultation, co-design workshops and a feasibility trial. The results of the scoping review will be used to identify evidence based structures and components of PA maintencne programmes. This data will be used to design the stakeholder consultation and codesign workshops, ensuring the structure and components are relevant to all stakeholder groups. The co-designed intervention will then be evaluated in a subsequent trial to evaluate its feasibility and efficacy.

The proposed project aligns with the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technology’s (CHaRT) physical activity for health and rehabilitation research theme. This project will align to ongoing work being conducted within the research centre.

This application was written in collaboration with Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke.

Please note that a copy of this project summary should be uploaded as ‘research proposal’ as part of your application.

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Masters at 65%
• Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

The University offers the following levels of support:

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living