A Behaviour Change Intervention Delivered Using Telehealth with a Physical Activity Monitor to Increase Physical Activity Post-Stroke: A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: (1) To assess the feasibility of implementing a theoretically informed behaviour change intervention delivered via telehealth, with the additional use of a physical activity monitor, compared with the behaviour change intervention alone, to increase physical activity post-stroke; (2) To explore changes in physical activity levels in both study arms, focusing on effect sizes to inform a fully powered randomised controlled trial (RCT). Design: Phase 1 feasibility RCT, with concealed allocation and blinded assessments. Setting: University. Participants: About 24 individuals post-stroke (12 per group). Intervention: Both groups received the behaviour change intervention via telehealth. The experimental group used a physical activity monitor (Smartwatch Mi Band 7®). Main measures: Feasibility indicators (e.g., recruitment, retention and cost) and clinical variables (e.g., physical activity level measured using the Adjusted Activity Score of the Human Activity Profile). Results: Trial feasibility was supported regarding recruitment, intervention delivery and measurement. Challenges included participant attrition. Main costs were related to transportation for in-person assessments. Physical activity levels increased in both groups (experimental group: 12.08 ± 12.01; control group: 11.83 ± 15.51), with changes exceeding the minimal detectable change (6.8). A large within-group effect was observed in the experimental group (Cohen's d = 1.01), compared with a medium effect in the control group (Cohen's d = 0.76). Conclusions: Both interventions were feasible and led to changes exceeding the minimal detectable change in physical activity levels post-stroke, with greater effects in the experimental group. These findings should inform a future, larger RCT addressing retention, follow-up and the added potential of the physical activity monitor.