PhD Study : Supporting long term physical activity in people post stroke

Apply and key information  

Summary

Stroke is the third leading cause of disability worldwide, with five million people annually becoming permanently disabled [1].  Recovery and rehabilitation of physical impairment following stroke is a significant challenge [2]. Community group based rehabilitation provides an accessible route to allow a large number of stroke survivors to gain access to physical activity based interventions. Northern Ireland Chest Heart have an established post rehabilitation enablement program [PREP] for stroke survivors (with around 800 attending every year) which is embedded within the stroke services in Northern Ireland. PREP aims to address the need for further rehabilitation and physical activity provision once stroke survivors have been discharged from statutory services.

Research and data gained from the 6 week regional PREP programme shows that people do not continue to complete physical activity in the longer term once they have exited from PREP.  The reasons behind this are unclear and therefore it is important to engage with all stakeholders to better understand the needs of people with stroke, their carers and service providers.

Aims:  This proposed PhD aims to explore how to support long term physical activity post stroke and design a novel physical activity intervention using an informed and collaborative approach.

Objectives: 1.To understand the key considerations for supporting people with stroke to complete physical activity in the long term. 2. To refine the content and delivery methods of a physical activity intervention through evaluating the enablers and barrers for people with stroke. 3. To develop and test the feasibility (content, mode of delivery, trial procedures) of a novel physical activity intervention.

Methods: The PhD project will involve 3 phases;

1. An evaluation of the PREP programme to better understand the individual, environmental and service provision considerations when designing an intervention to best support service users on completion of the PREP programme. This phase will consider the physical preparedness of participants at the end of the PREP programme to participate in long term physical activity, an evaluation of the support mechanisms required  to facilitate participation and to determine which (if any) elements of the current PREP programme are most beneficial in supporting physical activity based behaviour change.

2.  A qualitative exploration of enablers and barriers to implementation of physical activity in the longer term within Northern Ireland. This stage will involve key stakeholders including people with stroke (both those who have and have not participated in PREP), community stroke team therapists, NICHSA representatives, carers, medical consultants, General practicitioners and research experts in the field.

3. The third part of this PhD will focus on developing and testing an approach / intervention to support physical activity participation in the long term.The intervention will be informed by the findings of existing literature and the qualitative work. A pilot study will evaluate this intervention with a sample of people with stroke.

This Phd project has been co-produced with Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke (NICHS) who are the largest provider of community based, post stroke interventions, in N.Ireland.

References will be requested for shortlisted candidates.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • A demonstrable interest in the research area associated with the studentship

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • First Class Honours (1st) Degree
  • Sound understanding of subject area as evidenced by a comprehensive research proposal
  • Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

  • Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
  • Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
  • Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

  • Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
  • Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
  • Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
  • Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Friday 5 February 2021
12:00AM

Interview Date
W/C 1st March 2021

Preferred student start date
Mid September 2021

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Katy Pedlow

Other supervisors