Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026

A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients
Published on: May 16, 2025
Barriers associated with exercise and community access for individuals with stroke
James H Rimmer1, Edward Wang, Donald Smith
1Department of Disability and Human Development, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60608, USA. jrimmer@uic.edu
Barriers like cost, transportation, and lack of knowledge hinder exercise for stroke survivors. Addressing these issues is crucial for increasing physical activity participation in this population.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Neurology
- Physical Therapy
Background:
- Promoting physical activity in stroke survivors is essential for recovery and quality of life.
- Participation in exercise programs remains a significant challenge for individuals post-stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and rank the perceived barriers to exercise among adults with unilateral stroke.
- To inform healthcare professionals about obstacles hindering physical activity adherence in stroke patients.
Main Methods:
- A survey was administered to 83 adults diagnosed with unilateral stroke.
- Participants reported perceived barriers to engaging in physical activity.
Main Results:
- The most common barriers included program cost (61%), lack of awareness of fitness centers (57%), and transportation issues (57%).
- Knowledge deficits regarding how (46%) and where (44%) to exercise were also significant barriers.
- Less common barriers were lack of interest (16%), time constraints (11%), and fear of worsening the condition (1%).
Conclusions:
- Multiple barriers impede exercise participation among people with stroke.
- Healthcare providers must actively identify and mitigate these barriers to enhance physical activity engagement.
Related Concept Videos
Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
Peripheral Artery Disease I: Introduction
Physiological Barriers
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
Barriers to Effective Communication I
Communication barriers include the following:
Physiological barriers: They are limitations caused by a person's health condition or disability, such as hearing loss, poor eyesight, illness, or unconsciousness. An example to overcome this barrier...
Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management