What are the aims of this study?

To determine whether playing home-based exergames for 4 months can improve balance and mobility after stroke.

Exergames involve playing arcade-style games by stepping on a mat

To test whether this exercise program can:

• Improve cognition
• Improve quality of life 
• Reduce fear of falling

Assessments

• Online Questionnaires before the start of the baseline assessmentSurvey on: basic health, quality of life, symptomsDuration: 30 minutes. 
• Physical assessments at NeuRA at the start of the study and after the 4‑month periodDuration of first assessment: 2 hoursDuration of second assessment: 1 hour
• Physical Activity TrackingWear an activity watch for 7 continuous days

Control vs. Exercise Group

After the baseline assessment you will be placed into one of two groups at random (like a flip of a coin). 

• Control group: carry on with daily life ​‘as normal’ for the duration of the study and offered the four-month exercise program with supervision at the end of the study.
• Exercise group: We will provide, set up and teach you how to use the exergames safely in your home. For four months, we will ask you to play the games at home with the goal of reaching a total of 120 minutes/​week.

Monitoring

The research team will visit your home on one or two occasions after the baseline assessment.

Weekly online surveys to record fall frequency

Participants

If you are:

• aged 18 +
• at least 6 months post stroke
• now experiencing balance or mobility impairment 
• able to walk 20 metres without aid 

We invite you to participate in a research trial investigating a new exercise program, SmartStep Stroke, to improve balance and mobility. Participating in this study is voluntary. It will not cost you any money, nor will you be paid.

UNSW Ethics Approval: iRECS7307

Contact our team

If you are interested in learning more about the study, please contact our SmartStep Stroke team:

(02) 9399 1073

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