Past projects

Assistance to increase outdoor journeys after stroke: the GETTING OUT AND ABOUT trial

Stroke affects over 345,000 Australians, is a leading cause of disability, and the second highest cause of death in adults.

Over 48,000 strokes occur each year in Australia. Around one-third of stroke survivors experience an ongoing disability that limits their participation in home and community life.

People who have experienced a stroke often do not get out as often they would like. Reasons for fewer outdoor journeys include reduced community ambulation (particularly speed and endurance), lack of confidence and a fear of falling, environmental barriers (for example, uneven pavements), the inability to resume car driving, and insufficient information about transport options.

There is evidence that the number of outdoor journeys can be increased with specific interventions. This evidence has been incorporated into the Australian national clinical guidelines for stroke recovery and rehabilitation.

However, rehabilitation therapists report that they are either not aware of this research, or have not yet begun to provide the intervention routinely to people with stroke.

The current study targets this ‘evidence-practice gap’, with two different teams in Sydney South West.