Research Opportunity: ESTEEM After Stroke: Exercising, Socialising and Thinking- An Environmental Enrichment Model in the Community After Stroke

The ESTEEM Program is a community-based model of rehabilitation which provides stroke survivors with an opportunity to exercise, socialise, and participate in creative thinking activities to encourage the best possible recovery after stroke.

This combination of physical, cognitive and social activity participation is based on the principal of ‘environmental enrichment’ and the role that multi-modal stimulation plays in promoting brain plasticity especially after stroke. We are evaluating the effects of participation in the ESTEEM Program on both stroke survivors (i.e., independence, mood, quality of life and social networks) and their carers (i.e., quality of life and carer burden).

The ESTEEM Program is currently delivered at Mercy Services, West Wallsend and is planned to be available in the Maitland and Manning regions in 2024.

We are collecting health outcomes for stroke survivors and carers (physical, mood and quality of life) and health professional experiences of participating in this program at baseline, post-program and 3 months post-program.

For further information contact Heidi Janssen at heidi.janssen@health.nsw.gov.au or phone Mob. 0411 114 995 or (02) 4921 4037. Program Flyer.