{
  "abstract": "BackgroundAerobic exercise is recommended during stroke rehabilitation to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and support recovery; however, participation rates remain low. While institutional and system-level barriers have been widely examined, less is known about how individual patient factors influence engagement in aerobic exercise during rehabilitation.\n\nObjectivesWe aimed to determine whether depressive symptoms, apathy, self{square}efficacy and outcome expectations for exercise, perceived barriers, or past exercise history were associated with aerobic exercise participation in stroke rehabilitation.\n\nMethodsIn this prospective cohort sub{square}study, adults admitted to in- or out-patient stroke rehabilitation at three urban hospitals completed validated questionnaires assessing depressive symptoms, apathy, exercise self{square}efficacy, outcome expectations for exercise, perceived barriers to being active, and premorbid exercise history. Participants were separated into two groups for analysis: those who completed aerobic exercise during rehabilitation and those who did not. Equivalence testing and between{square}group comparisons were performed.\n\nResultsSixty{square}two participants were enrolled; 16 participated in aerobic exercise and 46 did not. Groups were not equivalent on any individual{square}level factors. Compared to non{square}participants, those who performed aerobic exercise had significantly higher depressive symptom scores (p=0.0025) and lower self{square}efficacy for exercise (p=0.0087). Non{square}participants demonstrated significantly higher apathy (p=0.0007). No significant differences were found for outcome expectations, perceived barriers, or exercise history.\n\nConclusionDepressive symptoms and lower self{square}efficacy did not impede aerobic exercise participation during rehabilitation. Increased apathy, however, was associated with non{square}participation. Findings highlight the need for individually tailored aerobic exercise prescriptions that consider motivational and affective factors to optimize engagement during stroke rehabilitation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University Health Network"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "A. Barzideh"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. J. Devasahayam"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Marzolini"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Munce"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. M. Sibley"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. L. Inness"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "A. Mansfield"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fx5721fg3hsy3.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451v1.full",
  "id": "fx5721fg3hsy3",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2742|Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7204852248",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-08-26",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fx5721fg3hsy3.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:25Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.26.26361451v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:rehabilitation medicine and physical therapy",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Patient factors influencing participation in aerobic exercise during inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation post stroke: a prospective cohort study",
  "title_text": "Patient factors influencing participation in aerobic exercise during inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation post stroke: a prospective cohort study",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:41Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fx5721fg3hsy3",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}