Cardiorespiratory training post stroke: from guidelines to clinical practice. A qualitative study

PurposeThe National Clinical Guideline for Stroke for the United Kingdom and Ireland was published in 2023 with an increased focus and detail regarding cardiorespiratory training. This study aimed to explore physiotherapists' perspectives into the feasibility of implementing cardiorespiratory training for people with stroke as per this new guideline.Materials and methodsA qualitative descriptive study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with professionally registered physiotherapists, who had worked with stroke patients in the past two years. Data was inductively analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFifteen physiotherapists participated in interviews from a variety of healthcare settings and geographical locations across the Republic of Ireland. Three themes were constructed: 1) How cardiorespiratory training is prioritised, 2) Current practices of cardiorespiratory training and the challenges faced, and 3) Creative and resourceful solutions to improving cardiorespiratory implementation. Facilitating factors included one-to-one support, accessibility/inclusivity of services, education, promotion, and developing a stroke-specific rehabilitation programme.ConclusionsThese findings inform on current practices and challenges to implementation of cardiorespiratory training in stroke rehabilitation. Physiotherapists had innovative ideas and solutions that could enhance the delivery and implementation of cardiorespiratory training for people with stroke.