Background/Aims: This study explored the delivery and adherence of a successful falls prevention intervention in the community after stroke. Specifically, it examined session delivery and adherence to key intervention components (habit-forming exercise, home safety, and community mobility) within the Falls After Stroke Trial (FAST).
Methods: An embedded evaluation of the experimental group (n=186) was conducted alongside the FAST trial. Participants were adults aged > 50 years, < 5 years post-stroke, and ambulatory > 10 m. The FAST intervention included 12 sessions (home visits or phone calls) delivered over six months. Session delivery was described by frequency, duration, and content. Adherence to the three components of the intervention, exercise (questionnaire), home safety (number of recommendations applied) and community mobility (participation in establishing a goal) was examined post-intervention (6-months) and at follow up (12-months).
Results: 182 participants commenced the intervention. In terms of delivery, 11.1 (SD 2.4) out of a planned 12 sessions were delivered. Adherence to habit-forming exercise was moderate. Participants reported undertaking 6.6 (SD 2.5) balance or strength exercises that were embedded in everyday life post-intervention and were still undertaking 5.3 (80%) at 12-months. Participants received 3.9 home safety recommendations, with 2.8 in place at 12-months. Further, 88% of participants collaboratively devised a community mobility goal.
Conclusion: The FAST intervention was delivered as planned, with participants demonstrating good adherence to the three intervention components.