A park-based group mobility program for older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: a qualitative process evaluation of the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial.

Background: The Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial showed that a workshop and 10-week park-based outdoor walk group (OWG) was superior to the workshop and 10 weekly reminders (WR) with increasing walking capacity, but not outdoor walking activity, health-promoting behavior, or successful aging, among older adults with difficulty walking outdoors. The objective of this planned process evaluation was to explore participants' perceptions of mechanisms of impact of and contextual factors influencing experiences with the interventions to help explain the observed intervention effects on study outcomes.

Methods: A qualitative descriptive study involving semi-structured interviews conducted at 6-months post-baseline was conducted.

An Outdoor Walking Program for Immigrant Muslim Older Adults: A Community-Based Participatory Intervention.

Aim: To explore Muslim immigrant older adults' experiences of a modified community-based outdoor walking program and identify factors that facilitate or hinder program acceptance and participation.

Design: An exploratory qualitative description single-group pilot study was designed and implemented in three phases: (1) pre-intervention focus group interviews; (2) intervention implementation with tracking of physical activity levels using personal activity monitors; and (3) postintervention individual interviews.

Methods: Participants were recruited using a convenience sampling strategy in a mosque in Edmonton, Canada, in June 2019.

Physical and occupational therapists' learning needs and preferences for education on functional electrical stimulation: A qualitative descriptive study.

Background: Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is an evidence-based intervention that is rarely used by Canadian physical therapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs). A common barrier to FES implementation is a lack of knowledge and training. FES learning resources that meet therapists' learning needs and preferences may address this barrier.

Pelvic Health Content in Canadian Entry-To-Practice Physiotherapy Programs: An Online Survey.

Purpose: Pelvic health physiotherapy is an emerging and sensitive area of practice that offers effective conservative treatment for pelvic health conditions. Canadian entry-to-practice curriculum guidelines accord programs considerable flexibility regarding incorporating pelvic health content, which may lead to differences between programs and diverse levels of competence among new graduates. The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent to which pelvic health content is incorporated in entry-to-practice physiotherapy programs in Canada.

Evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations: a scoping review protocol incorporating an equity lens to inform the development of strategies to optimise participation of under-represented groups.

Introduction: For individuals with mobility limitations, virtual exercise programmes can address the challenges of in-person participation in community exercise programmes. A synthesis of studies of virtual exercise programmes targeting mobility limitations provided outside of conventional rehabilitation services and strategies used to optimise equitable access and inclusivity in these programmes is lacking. We aim to characterise evaluations of virtual exercise programmes for adults with mobility limitations, and the nature of and extent to which equity, diversity and inclusion considerations are integrated in the research process.

Individual and environmental variables related to outdoor walking among older adults: Verifying a model to guide the design of interventions targeting outdoor walking.

Objective: To estimate the relationships between individual and environmental variables and outdoor walking (OW) in older adults with OW limitations through verifying a conceptual model.

Methods: Baseline data from 205 older adults participating in a randomized trial of a park-based OW program were analyzed using structural equation modeling. We evaluated a three latent factor model: OW (accelerometry and self-report); individual factors (balance; leg strength; walking self-confidence, speed and endurance; mental health; education; income; car access); and environmental factors (neighbourhood walkability components).

A park-based group mobility program for older adults with difficulty walking outdoors: a quantitative process evaluation of the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) randomized controlled trial.

Background: Process evaluations of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of community exercise programs are important to help explain the results of a trial and provide evidence of the feasibility for community implementation. The objectives of this process evaluation for a multi-centre RCT of outdoor walking interventions for older adults with difficulty walking outdoors, were to determine: 1) implementation fidelity (the extent to which elements of the intervention were delivered as specified in the original protocol) and 2) participant engagement (the receipt of intervention components by the participants) in the Getting Older Adults Outdoors (GO-OUT) trial.

Methods: GO-OUT participants attended an active 1-day workshop designed to foster safe, outdoor walking skills.

Creating synergies among education/research, practice, and policy environments to build capacity for the scholar role in occupational therapy and physiotherapy in the Canadian context.

Scholarly practice (SP) is considered a key competency of occupational therapy and physiotherapy. To date, the three sectors-education/research, practice, and policy/regulation-that support SP have been working relatively independently. The goals of this project were to (a) understand how representatives of the three sectors conceptualize SP; (b) define each sector's individual and collective roles in supporting SP; (c) identify factors influencing the enactment of SP and the specific needs of how best to support SP; and (d) co-develop goals and strategies to support SP across all sectors.

Evidence-based practice confidence and behavior throughout the curriculum of four physical therapy education programs: a longitudinal study.

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a foundational process taught in health professional education, yet it is unclear when EBP confidence and skills are obtained. Increases in EBP confidence and behaviors from the start of physical therapy programs to post graduation have been reported in studies that evaluated a single program or used non-valid questionnaires. This study aimed to describe changes in EBP confidence and behavior using validated questionnaires of students from four physical therapy education programs throughout their curriculum and one year post graduation.

Standardized measurement of balance and mobility post-stroke: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable.

Background: Mobility is a key priority for stroke survivors. Worldwide consensus of standardized outcome instruments for measuring mobility recovery after stroke is an essential milestone to optimize the quality of stroke rehabilitation and recovery studies and to enable data synthesis across trials.

Methods: Using a standardized methodology, which involved convening of 13 worldwide experts in the field of mobility rehabilitation, consensus was established through an defined survey-based approach followed by group discussions.

Standardized measurement of balance and mobility post-stroke: Consensus-based core recommendations from the third Stroke Recovery and Rehabilitation Roundtable.

Background: Mobility is a key priority for stroke survivors. Worldwide consensus of standardized outcome instruments for measuring mobility recovery after stroke is an essential milestone to optimize the quality of stroke rehabilitation and recovery studies and to enable data synthesis across trials.

Methods: Using a standardized methodology, which involved convening of 13 worldwide experts in the field of mobility rehabilitation, consensus was established through an defined survey-based approach followed by group discussions.

Do measures of physical capacity and walking self-efficacy relate to frailty in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors? A secondary data analysis.

Purpose: Measures of physical capacity and self-efficacy may help rehabilitation professionals better understand and detect frailty in older adults. We aimed to characterize frailty, walking self-efficacy, physical capacity, and their inter-relationships in older adults with difficulty walking outdoors.

Materials And Methods: A secondary analysis of baseline data from 187 older adults (age ≥ 65 years) with mobility limitations was performed.

Stroke Experiences and Unmet Needs of Individuals of African Descent Living in High-Income Economy Countries: a Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

Background: Stroke service disparities experienced by individuals of African descent highlight the need to optimize services. While qualitative studies have explored participants' unique experiences and service needs, a comprehensive synthesis is lacking. To address current knowledge gaps, this review aimed to synthesize existing literature on the experiences of individuals of African descent impacted by a stroke living in high-income economy countries in terms of stroke prevention, management, and care.

Group-based circuit training to improve mobility after stroke: a cross-sectional survey of German and Austrian physical therapists in outpatient settings.

Background: A contextual transferability analysis identified group-based circuit training (GCT) as an optimal intervention in German and Austrian outpatient physical therapy to improve mobility post-stroke. GCT incorporates task-oriented, high-repetitive, balance, aerobic and strength training and allows for increased therapy time without increasing personnel.

Objective: To determine the extent to which German and Austrian physical therapists (PTs) use GCT and its components in the outpatient treatment of stroke-related mobility deficits and to identify factors associated with using GCT components.

Developing multisectoral strategies to promote evidence-based practice in rehabilitation: findings from an end-of-grant knowledge translation symposium.

Purpose: Following a longitudinal study to understand how evidence-based practice evolves during the initial years of occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT) practice, we held an end-of-grant symposium with representatives from education, practice, research, and policy. The objectives were to: (1) elicit feedback on the implications of the study results; and (2) co-develop a list of actionable recommendations for each sector.

Methods: Qualitative participatory approach.

Exploring the Poststroke Experiences and Needs of South Asian Communities Living in High-Income Countries: Findings from a Scoping Review.

Despite the high prevalence of stroke among South Asian communities in high-income countries, a comprehensive understanding of their unique experiences and needs after stroke is lacking. This study aimed to synthesize the literature examining the experiences and needs of South Asian community members impacted by stroke and their family caregivers residing in high-income countries. A scoping review methodology was utilized.

Adverse Events During Submaximal Aerobic Exercise Testing in People With Subacute Stroke: A Scoping Review.

Background And Purpose: Concern for adverse cardiovascular events and limited guidance regarding how to conduct aerobic exercise (AEx) testing for individuals poststroke are key barriers to implementation by physical therapists in stroke rehabilitation. This study aimed to describe the nature and safety of submaximal AEx testing protocols for people with subacute stroke (PwSS) and the nature of comorbidity of PwSS who underwent submaximal AEx testing.

Methods: We conducted a scoping review and searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and SPORTDiscus from inception to October 29, 2020.

Expected Health Benefits as the Ultimate Outcome of Information Available on Stroke Engine, a Knowledge Translation Stroke Rehabilitation Website: Web-Based Survey.

Background: Electronic knowledge resources are readily available and typically target different audiences, including health professionals and the public, that is, those with lived experience and their relatives. The knowledge-to-action framework, in combination with the information assessment method (IAM), considering both the value-of-information construct and the conceptual model of acquisition-cognition-application, can be used to support the evaluation process of such resources. As an example, Stroke Engine is an evidence-based knowledge translation resource in stroke rehabilitation (assessments and interventions) for health professionals and students as well as individuals who have sustained a stroke and their relatives.

Conditions and strategies influencing sustainability of a community-based exercise program incorporating a healthcare-community partnership for people with balance and mobility limitations in Canada: A collective case study of the Together in Movement and Exercise (TIME™) program.

Background: Community-based exercise programs delivered through healthcare-community partnerships (CBEP-HCPs) are beneficial to individuals with balance and mobility limitations. For the community to benefit, however, these programs must be sustained over time.

Purpose: To identify conditions influencing the sustainability of CBEP-HCPs for people with balance and mobility limitations and strategies used to promote sustainability based on experiences of program providers, exercise participants, and caregivers.

Standardized tools for assessing balance and mobility in stroke clinical practice guidelines worldwide: A scoping review.

Background: Use of standardized tools to assess balance and mobility limitations is a recommended practice in stroke rehabilitation. The extent to which clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) for stroke rehabilitation recommend specific tools and provide resources to support their implementation is unknown.

Purpose: To identify and describe standardized, performance-based tools for assessing balance and/or mobility and describe postural control components challenged, the approach used to select tools, and resources provided for clinical implementation, in CPGs for stroke.

Components of a Behavior Change Model Drive Quality of Life in Community-Dwelling Older Persons.

This study aimed to inform a measurement approach for older persons who wish to engage in active living such as participating in a walking program. The Patient Generated Index, an individualized measurement approach, and directed and summative content analyses were carried out. A sample size of 204 participants (mean age 75 years; 62% women) was recruited; it generated 934 text threads mapped to 460 unique categories within 45 domains with similarities and differences for women and men.