{
  "abstract": "PurposeTo co-design a community-based walking program that incorporates social connection to improve physical activity post-stroke.\n\nMethodsA four-stage Integrated Knowledge Translation approach was used. Stage 1: research team (2 stroke survivors, 8 professionals) defined research questions, scope and plan. Stage 2: workshops held with stroke survivors, carers, and health and design professionals to identify important program principles. Stage 3: research team used a Nominal Group Technique to make key decisions and develop the program. Stage 4: program presented to participants; feedback gathered and adaptations made. Workshop findings were iteratively analysed and summarised during sessions.\n\nResultsTwenty-six participants were recruited across stages 2 and 4 (12 stroke survivors, 2 carers, 12 professionals). Key program principles identified in Stage 2 were social support, inclusive environment, motivational support, co-ordination and administrative support. The Supportive Strides program was co-designed to incorporate these principles. Program elements included accessible outdoor walking routes, pre-walk coffee and social connection, peer-support, online group chat, milestone celebrations, and a safety checklist. Following Stage 4 participant feedback, adaptations were incorporated e.g., simpler screening process, include more walking route information.\n\nConclusionsThe co-designed Supportive Strides community-based walking program is ready for testing to improve physical activity and social connection after stroke.\n\nImplications for RehabilitationO_LIThe Supportive Strides community-based walking program with embedded socialisation and peer support was co-designed by stroke survivors, carers, and health and design professionals C_LIO_LISocialisation and peer support are considered critical elements for engagement and sustainability of post-stroke physical activity programs C_LIO_LIInclusive environmental design may be important for outdoor walking activities for stroke survivors C_LIO_LITracking progress, celebrating achievements and coaching support are motivators for improving post-stroke physical activity levels C_LI",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Physiotherapy, Melbourne School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 10,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "N. Fini"
    },
    {
      "name": "P. Cahill"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. A. Beh"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Suttie"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Gallant"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Martel"
    },
    {
      "name": "I. Mateo-Babiano"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. H. Marck"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. S. Hayward"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Ramage"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fh1v4kdwbq4ms.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966v1.full",
  "id": "fh1v4kdwbq4ms",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY",
  "licence_label": "CC BY",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2742|Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7213788442",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-17",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fh1v4kdwbq4ms.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:56Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.17.26362966v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Supportive Strides: Co-designing Community-Based Walking Programs with Embedded Socialisation and Peer Support for People after Stroke",
  "title_text": "Supportive Strides: Co-designing Community-Based Walking Programs with Embedded Socialisation and Peer Support for People after Stroke",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:18:56Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fh1v4kdwbq4ms",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}