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Updated: Jun 23, 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
The psychosocial effects of exercise and relaxation classes for persons surviving a stroke
Gail Carin-Levy1, Marilyn Kendall, Archie Young
1School of Social Sciences, Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh, East Lothian, Scotland. GCarin-Levy@qmu.ac.uk
Background:
This study was set up to explore unexpected findings emergent from a randomized controlled trial of exercise versus relaxation post-stroke.
Purpose:
Stroke survivors' experiences of taking part in exercise and relaxation classes were explored.
Methods:
In-depth, semi-structured interviews carried out with 14 community-dwelling stroke survivors in Edinburgh. The informants previously participated in a randomized exploratory trial of exercise versus relaxation.
Findings:
The classes motivated participants to take part in other purposeful activities, to continue to practice what they had learned, and/or to attend another class in the community. Class participation also led to an improvement of self-perceived quality of life, specifically, improved confidence, physical ability, psychosocial functioning, and a sense of empowerment.
Implications:
Taking part in either exercise or relaxation classes after stroke can contribute to improved self-perceived quality of life, improved psychosocial functioning, and improved motivation to take an active role in the recovery process.
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Definition
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Purposes
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