ESTEEM After Stroke: Exercising, Socialising and Thinking - an Environmental Enrichment Model in the Community
Who it’s for: Survivors of stroke, family members or carers
What it involves: Test a program
Location: In person NSW
Summary
Researchers at the University of Newcastle have worked with survivors of stroke, carers, health professionals and artists in the community to design the ESTEEM Program (Exercising, Socialising and Thinking - an Environmental Enrichment Model).
The ESTEEM Program is a community-based group program where people living with stroke come together twice a week to exercise, socialise and engage in arts-based activities such as visual arts and dancing.
The ESTEEM Program is part of a clinical trial evaluating the effectiveness of this program on physical function and quality of life for survivors of stroke. The researchers are also looking at the effect of the ESTEEM Program on carers’ quality of life.
The aim of this project is to provide a sustainable program that is accessible to survivors of stroke in regional communities after this research study is completed.
For more information, visit the program website, esteemafterstroke.com.au
Eligibility
Participants need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have had a stroke
- Live in the Hunter New England Local Health District
- Live at home in the community (not in a residential care facility)
- Be able to stand independently or with the assistance of 1 person
- Be able to use the restroom independently or with a carer who will attend with you
- Follow instructions safely.
Activity
- The ESTEEM Program is held at three locations across the Hunter New England Local Health District (the Newcastle, Maitland and Taree regions).
- Sessions run twice a week, for 10 weeks.
- Sessions have been designed by physiotherapists as well as experienced dancers and artists. Each session consists of:
- 30 minutes of exercise
- 30 minutes of socialisation over morning tea
- 90 minutes of either visual arts or movement-to-music
- Overall, participants will be involved for approximately 6–8 months. Over this time, the research team will collect information from participants at up to 4 appointments.
Documents
Participant information sheet - Survivor of stroke [PDF 452 KB]
Participant information sheet - Carer [PDF 427 KB]
Contact
If you have questions or would like to find out more, please contact the research team via:
Name: Shandelle Caban, Project Manager, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Heart and Stroke Research Program
Email: ESTEEMAfterStroke@newcastle.edu.au
Phone: 0436 307 646