Safe Movement Research Articles

Development of e-stick for blind persons using IoT

Blind and disabled people suffer a loT to reach their destination, and there are many dangerous risks that disabled people must face. To avoid the inconvenience while walking, a smart electronic walking stick was proposed. This paper proposes a low-cost walking stick based on the latest technology, and a new implementation is intended to effectively interface with the blind. Basically, an ultrasonic sensor is implemented in a walking stick to detect obstacles in front of the blind or handicapped. If there is any obstacle, it will warn the blind person to avoid that obstacle and alert them in the form of a voice announcement. Every day in different ways to ensure people's flexible and safe movement. In this technology-driven world where people strive to live independently, this paper provides an inexpensive 3D ultrasonic stick for the blind to gain personal independence so the disabled can move from one place to another easily and safely. A portable stick is being designed and developed that detects the obstacles in the path of the blind using ultrasonic sensors. The voice alert is activated when any obstacle is detected. In addition, the flash drive is equipped with a system of Short Message Service (SMS) messages. The SMS system is used by the blind to send SMS messages to the numbers stored in the microcontroller in case of an emergency. This system has been successfully programmed with a voice announcement. Computer simulations are performed to evaluate system performance using Proteus software.

Car Free Zone as Planning Vision to Enhancements Transportation in City Centers (Holy Najaf City Center-Iraq)

The idea of a car-free city represents a solution to the problem of fuel consumption and air pollution caused by the use of cars and replaces the idea of owning and using private cars with an efficient transportation system, and it doesn’t mean living without cars, because cars have become an integral part of a modern city. On the contrary, people can still drive in city but will not park their cars at home. Instead, they park elsewhere on their way home. Research problem: Weak regulation of the movement of vehicles in the center of the holy city of Najaf, which leads to the danger of pedestrian movement in the city center. The aim of the research: to provide a safe and effective movement for pedestrians in the center of the holy city of Najaf. Research hypothesis: The use of the car-free zone strategy in the city center transportation system achieves security for the population in the old city. The research examines reasons behind suggesting free-of-vehicle areas It gives a number of policies to achieve the strategy in the center of the holy city of Najaf, including the provision of public transportation, furniture and comfort for pedestrians in the streets, as well as easy access for the residents of the area. Thus, it is possible to draw the conclusion that there is a possibility to achieve this strategy in religious centers according to a number of policies that suit the specificity of the area.

Effect of Nursing Guidelines on Orthopedic Nurses Knowledge regarding Safe Patient Handling and Movement

Effect of Nursing Guidelines on Orthopedic Nurses Knowledge regarding Safe Patient Handling and Movement

ASTRO: Reducing COVID-19 Exposure through Contact Prediction and Avoidance

The fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance and benefits of recommending paths that reduce the exposure to and the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus by avoiding crowded indoor or outdoor areas. Existing path discovery techniques are inadequate for coping with such dynamic and heterogeneous (indoor and outdoor) environments—they typically find an optimal path assuming a homogeneous and/or static graph, and hence they cannot be used to support contact avoidance. In this article, we pose the need for Mobile Contact Avoidance Navigation and propose ASTRO ( A ccessible S patio- T emporal R oute O ptimization), a novel graph-based path discovering algorithm that can reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure by taking into consideration the congestion in indoor spaces. ASTRO operates in an A * manner to find the most promising path for safe movement within and across multiple buildings without constructing the full graph. For its path finding, ASTRO requires predicting congestion in corridors and hallways. Consequently, we propose a new grid-based partitioning scheme combined with a hash-based two-level structure to store congestion models, called CM-Structure , which enables on-the-fly forecasting of congestion in corridors and hallways. We demonstrate the effectiveness of ASTRO and the accuracy of CM-Structure ’s congestion models empirically with realistic datasets, showing up to one order of magnitude reduction in COVID-19 exposure.

Предварительная компоновка основного технологического оборудования самоходной машины мобильной канатной дороги со штанговым механизмом установки и фиксации концевой опоры

Mobile ropeways for carrying out transport operations, formed with the help of terminal transport units connected by a single cable system on the basis of self-propelled wheeled or tracked chassis of increased carrying capacity and cross-country ability, are a promising type of lifting and transport equipment that ensures the rapid deployment of the necessary technological means. The article discusses the issues of preliminary arrangement of the rod mechanism for installation and fixation in the working position of the end tower using a folding rod consisting of two articulated links for a constructive variant of the outrigger placement of the tower on a rotary platform. The design and principle of operation of the rod mechanism is considered. A mathematical model has been developed that provides the required normative vertical dimension of a self-propelled vehicle for the purpose of its safe independent movement to the deployment site on general-purpose highways. The analysis of the influence of normative dimensional requirements, the structural dimensions of the bearing frame of the chassis and the height of the end tower on the main structural dimensions of the articulated folding rod in the transport position is carried out.

Predicting Traffic Sign Retro-Reflectivity Degradation Using Deep Neural Networks

Traffic signs are essential for the safe and efficient movement of vehicles through the transportation network. Poor sign visibility can lead to accidents. One of the key properties used to measure the visibility of a traffic sign is retro-reflection, which indicates how much light a traffic sign reflects back to the driver. The retro-reflection of the traffic sign degrades over time until it reaches a point where the traffic sign has to be changed or repaired. Several studies have explored the idea of modeling the sign degradation level to help the authorities in effective scheduling of sign maintenance. However, previous studies utilized simpler models and proposed multiple models for different combinations of the sheeting type and color used for the traffic sign. In this study, we present a neural network based deep learning model for traffic sign retro-reflectivity prediction. Data utilized in this study was collected using a handheld retro-reflectometer GR3 from field surveys of traffic signs. Sign retro-reflective measurements (i.e., the RA values) were taken for different sign sheeting brands, grades, colors, orientation angles, observation angles, and aging periods. Feature-based sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify variables’ relative importance in determining retro-reflectivity. Results show that the sheeting color and observation angle were the most significant variables, whereas sign orientation was the least important. Considering all the features, RA prediction results obtained from one-hot encoding outperformed other models reported in the literature. The findings of this study demonstrate the feasibility and robustness of the proposed neural network based deep learning model in predicting the sign retro-reflectivity.

A systematic review of work interventions to promote safe patient handling and movement in the healthcare sector

Purpuse The aim of this systematic review was to describe interventions which promote safe patient handling and movement (PHM) among workers in healthcare by reviewing the literature of their effectiveness for work and health-related outcomes. Methods: Data bases were searched for studies published 1997‒2018. Measures was operationalised broadly, capturing outcomes of work and health. Only Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies with control group were included. Quality was assessed using evidence-based checklists by Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services. Results: The systematic review included 10 RCTs and 19 cohort. Providing work equipment and training workers is effective: it can increase usage. Training workers to be peer coaches is associated with fewer injuries. Other effective strategies are participatory ergonomics and management engagement in collaboration with workers, facilitating safe PHM Conclusions: This systematic review suggests interventions for safe PHM with an impact of health-related outcomes should include access to work equipment, training as well as employer and employee engagement. The additional impact of multifaceted interventions is inconclusive. Practitioner Summary: In clinical practice, there is a need for employers in healthcare to; 1) provide healthcare workers access to suitable work equipment. 2) provide training on how to use work equipment to prevent work-related injuries. Furthermore, the study also indicates that 3) training and appointing peer coaches can facilitate safe manual handling and movement (PHM) and, 4) It can be beneficial to involve workers in a participatory approach.

Fast and precise localization of Tianwen-1 Mars roverlanding site

<p indent=0mm>At 7:18 on May 15, 2021, Beijing time, more than <sc>9 months</sc> after the launch of China’s first Mars exploration mission Tianwen-1, the lander successfully landed in the pre-selected landing area in the southern Utopia Plain of Mars. The overall terrain in this area is relatively flat, making it easier for the Tianwen-1 lander to land safely, but there are still scattered obstacles such as craters, sand dunes, and ridges. Therefore, the Tianwen-1 lander still needs to be accurately located, in order to plan the path of the rover, preventing the rover from overturning due to obstructive terrain. Besides, incorporating the follow-up data of the rover into the unified Martian geographic coordinate system also needs the accurate landing site. The location of the landing site can be estimated according to the lander’s landing orbit data, however, due to the parachute landing method, the error of the estimated location is large, so the image obtained after the landing of the Tianwen-1 lander should be used to accurately locate the landing site. Mars is far away from the Earth, and data transmission channel is limited. After the Tianwen-1 landed, the relevant image data received until May 22, 2021 only had the following three types of data: Remote sensing images obtained by the orbiter, a descent image during hovering obstacle avoidance and slow descent phase, and the ring-shot stereo image pairs of the Mars rover’s navigation camera on the landing platform after landing. In order to locate the landing site of the Mars rover as soon as possible, this article proposes a precise positioning method based on the above limited data. At first, using the digital orthophoto map (DOM) generated by the orbiter remote sensing image as the base map, extract the craters, sand dunes, craters and ridges in the pre-selected landing area, and calculate the topological relationship between them. In addition, the topological relationship between the crater, sand dune, crater and ridge around the landing site is also calculated based on the ring-shot stereo image pair of the navigation camera. The second step is to perform fuzzy matching between the topological relationship of the feature geomorphology calculated by the navigation camera’s ring-shooting stereo pair and the topological relationship of the feature geomorphology extracted from the DOM of the orbiter remote sensing image to obtain several suspected landing sites, and then to determine one of them as the initial position of the landing site based on the descent image during the hovering obstacle avoidance and slow descent phase obtained near the landing site. Finally, through the multi-image space resection of the navigation camera images, the precise position of the landing site is calculated as (109.925°E, 25.066°N). This method makes full use of the limited data at the initial stage of the landing, and realizes the first-time positioning of the Tianwen-1 lander’s landing site. It has strong timeliness and ensures the safe movement of the rover. On June 6, 2021, U.S. time, the HiRISE camera on the Mars reconnaissance orbiter (MRO) captured high-resolution remote sensing images of the Tianwen-1 lander and the Mars rover. The position of the Tianwen-1 lander on the image is the same as that in this article, which further verifies the accuracy of the positioning method.

Street Pothole and Speed breaker detection with Theft Prevention Techniques: A Survey

Abstract: Potholes are very harmful road surface conditions that prevent a safe, secure and reliable transportation and movement of people, goods and services. Road surface obstacles such as potholes affect the safety and comfort of most road users and commuters. Bad road networks hamper the smooth movement of goods and services and contribute to the poor growth and development of the economy whiles good road networks provides access to markets and enable fast and smooth transportation of goods and services from producers to consumers. Early detection and maintenance of potholes helps to create a conducive and reliable road network that facilitates the smooth movement of people, goods and services. Transportation Plays a Big Part of our daily Lives. Every year, People are Increasingly using vehicle Especially Two-wheeler Motorcycle their Common mode of Transportation. The increases of Motorcycle users, Motorcycle theft also rampant over the year. This paper contains a survey on various potholes and speed breaker detection techniques with theft protection techniques. Keywords: Street pothole, Speed breaker, machine learning, GSM, Theft prevention system, Micro-controller.

Dynamic modal control of unmanned vehicle movement in open pit mining

The purpose of this study is to present a number of aspects in the modern concept of computer-aided dynamic modal control of unmanned quarry vehicles in open pit mining. In particular, the software and hardware module that is a part of the “Smart Quarry” global structure deals with the conditions of matching a form of specific current trajectories (their deviation to the left or right of the nominal axial trajectory) to information “trajectory” chirp signals. The study employs the methods of wavelet transforms to convert one-dimensional signals that generate unmanned vehicle current trajectories into the time-frequency distributions of Cohen’s class. The formation of unmanned vehicle current trajectories under their deviation to the left / right from the nominal axial trajectory on straight and curved routes is considered schematically. It is noted that the tracking of unmanned current trajectories on quarry routes is carried out taking into account the nature of trajectory signals. The difference between the introduced dynamic modal control of the unmanned vehicle and the static one is formulated. Some fragments displaying 1D-signals in a wavelet medium are introduced into the autonomous and external control subsystems. The computer-aided control system uses such elements of the wavelet transforms technique as Gabor wavelet functions, the wavelet matching pursuit algorithm, and Cohen’s class time-frequency distributions. The research results in formulating the criteria for forming the unmanned vehicle current trajectories by the control system in the form of its reactions to sporadic disturbances caused by the occurrence of static or dynamic obstacles on a route. The algorithm of dynamic modal control of current trajectories has been developed. The concept of forward and reverse transient processes of signals of unmanned vehicle trajectory deviation has been introduced. The estimation procedure of modal controller parameters has been described. The algorithm has been developed for modal controller matrix recalculation, which has the form of the chain of sequentially implemented matrix procedures. It should be noted in conclusion that a computer-aided system for modal control of current trajectory deviation has been developed on the basis of the performed research. It enables to implement the functions of controlling the dynamics of technological and safe movement of unmanned vehicles along the quarry routes in a conflict environment of open pit mining.

“I didn't know what I could do”: Behaviors, knowledge and beliefs, and social facilitation after distal radius fracture

BackgroundBiomedical models have limitations in explaining and predicting recovery after distal radius fracture (DRF). Variation in recovery after DRF may be related to patients’ behaviors and beliefs, factors that can be framed using a lens of self-management. We conceptualized the self-management process using social cognitive theory as reciprocal interactions between behaviors, knowledge and beliefs, and social facilitation. Understanding this process can contribute to needs identification to optimize recovery. PurposeDescribe the components of the self-management process after DRF from the patient's perspective. Study designQualitative descriptive analysis. MethodsThirty-one adults aged 45-72 with a unilateral DRF were recruited from rehabilitation centers and hand surgeons’ practices. They engaged in one semi-structured interview 2-4 weeks after discontinuation of full-time wrist immobilization. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive techniques, including codes derived from the data and conceptual framework. Codes and categories were organized using the three components of the self-management process. ResultsParticipants engaged in medical, role, and emotional management behaviors to address multidimensional sequelae of injury, with various degrees of self-direction. They described limited knowledge of their condition and its medical management, naive beliefs about their expected recovery, and uncertainty regarding safe movement and use of their extremity. They reported informational, instrumental, and emotional support from health care professionals and a broader circle. ConclusionsDescriptions of multiple domains of behaviors emphasized health-promoting actions beyond adherence to medical recommendations. Engagement in behaviors was reciprocally related to participants’ knowledge and beliefs, including illness and pain-related perceptions. The findings highlight relevance of health behavior after DRF, which can be facilitated by hand therapists as part of the social environment. Specifically, hand therapists can assess and address patients’ behaviors and beliefs to support optimal recovery.

Tracks of Death: Elephant Casualties along the Habaipur–Diphu Railway in Assam, India

Railway development is an important component of sustainable transportation systems but also affects wildlife habitats worldwide. Here, we assess spatiotemporal patterns of elephant–train collisions and mortalities within the state of Assam, India, and relate them to spatial and temporal land cover change (LCC) from 1988 to 2018. The results indicate that an extension of railways into forested landscapes is associated with large-scale LCC and increased elephant–train collisions and mortality. Prior to 1997, when the railway system used narrower gauge rails, elephant deaths from collisions occurred at a rate of one or two per year. After 1997, when the system was converted to larger gauge rails, elephant deaths increased starkly and now occur at a rate approaching ten per year. While the rail gauges were being converted, the landscape around the Habaipur–Diphu railway line saw a sevenfold increase in annual net loss of dense forest. The transition from forest to croplands was the most dominant process of deforestation and forest fragmentation during the postconversion period. Although elephant–train collisions are strongly associated with the land use transitions shown here, conservation and remediation measures can help to stem further declines in forest habitats and promote safe movement by elephants between resource patches.

Technical Proposal for Monitoring Thermal and Mechanical Stresses of a Runway Pavement

Airport pavements should ensure regular and safe movements during their service life; the management body has to monitor the functional and structural characteristics, and schedule maintenance work, balancing the often conflicting goals of safety, economic and technical issues. This paper presents a remote monitoring system to evaluate the structural performance of a runway composed of concrete thresholds and a flexible central runway. Thermometers, strain gauges, and pressure cells will be embedded at different depths to continuously monitor the pavement’s response to traffic and environmental loads. An innovative system allows data acquisition and processing with specific calculation models, in order to inform the infrastructure manager, in real time, about the actual conditions of the pavement. In this way, the authors aim to develop a system that provides useful information for the correct implementation of an airport pavement management system (APMS) based on real-life data. Indeed, it permits comprehensive monitoring functions to be performed, based on the embedded sensing network.

The Impact of Knowledge of the Issue of Identification and Authentication on the Information Security of Adolescents in the Virtual Space

Information security in the context of digital literacy is a digital skill that enables safe and purposeful movement through virtual space. Due to rapid and unstoppable technological progress, multiplying opportunities and pushing the boundaries of digital technology and the Internet, the interest of the state and institutions within the state is to raise digital competencies of citizens, with special emphasis on children and youth as the most vulnerable groups of Internet users. The age limit and frequency of use of the Internet by young generations has been moved back a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the concern for information security of young people is increasingly emphasized. If, and to what extent, knowledge of the issue of identification and authentication affects the information security of high school students aged 16 to 19 in the virtual space, the research question addressed by the authors of this paper was to determine which student behaviors pose a potential danger compromising their information security by establishing a correlation between the variables that determine student behavior and the variables used to examine their level of security in a virtual environment. The research was conducted using a questionnaire on a sample of high school students in the Republic of Croatia, the results of which showed that some students practice behaviors that are potentially dangerous, make them vulnerable and easy targets of cyber predators and attackers, which is why there is cause for concern and a need for a additional education of children of primary and secondary school age in the field of information security in the form of the introduction of the subject Digital Literacy. Based on the results, a model for assessing the level of digital literacy of adolescents that affect information literacy can be designed, but also further related research in the field of information literacy of children and youth can be conducted.

Prototype of a remotely controlled model of a tugboat with an azimuth rudder and a hazard identification function

The author’s approach, based on the technology of control actions, is proposed for the interface display of the algorithm for the operation of an automatic tugboat with an azimuth rudder and a hazard assessment function. To define the object as presumably dangerous, the article used the formulas of the direct and inverse navigation problems. To compare the coordinates of the vessel and the perceived “hazard”, one first needs to enter data, process the information, and display information that is understandable for the decision-maker. To eliminate the misunderstanding of this situation, the operation of the danger prevention algorithm was demonstrated using the visual basic programming language as an example. When constructing an algorithm for the safe movement of the vessel and the existing danger, each object, even a stand-alone one, has many coordinate points. Knowing the number of points of coordinates of the vessel and “danger”, they were taken as n and m, respectively. The algorithm searches for the optimal point-object. The scheme of interaction of the components of the automatic tug azimuth model (ABA) is proposed. It is based on a Raspberry Pi single-board computer with an Arduino Mega board connected to it. A program has been written to control the ABA model using omnidirectional wheels to simulate maneuvering on water.

Development of a New Negative Obstacle Sensor for Augmented Electric Wheelchair.

Due to pathologies or age-related problems, in some disabled people, motor impairment is associated with cognitive and/or visual impairments. This combination of limitations unfortunately leads to an inability to move around independently. Indeed, their situation does not allow them to use a conventional electric wheelchair, for safety reasons, and for the moment there is no other technological solution providing safe movement capacity. This lack of access to an autonomous travel solution has the consequence of weakening the intellectual, personal, social, cultural and moral development, as well as the life expectancy, of the people concerned. In this context, our team is working on the development of an optoelectronic system that secures the displacement of electric wheelchairs. This is a large project that requires the development of several functionalities such as: the anti-collision of the wheelchair with its environment, the prevention of falls from the wheelchair on uneven levels, and the adaptation of the system mechanically and electronically to the majority of commercially available electric wheelchair models, among others. In this article, we introduce our solution for detecting dangerous height differences, also called “negative obstacles”, through the creation of a dedicated sensor. This sensor works by optical triangulation and can embed several laser beams in order to extend its detection zone. It has the particularity of being robust in direct sunlight and rain and has a sufficiently high measurement rate to be suitable for the displacement of electric wheelchairs. We develop an adapted algorithm, and point out compromises, in particular between the orientation of the laser beams and the maximal speed of the wheelchair.

Safe Transportation of Nuclear Fuel Assemblies by Means of Wheeled Robotic Platforms

Certain engineering problems concerning safety of the technological operations of the horizontal transportation of nuclear fuel within the enterprises’ sites were considered. Taking into account current trends in the introduction of robotic systems to reduce the impact of hazardous nuclear materials on personnel, the issue of automated control of the movement of the wheeled robotic platform, which can be used for horizontal transportation of nuclear fuel was studied. The major attention was paid to minimizing the transportation loads on nuclear fuel by means of decreasing the accelerations under its horizontal movement on the robotic wheeled transportation platform, which is a separate issue of the comprehensive safety problem of nuclear materials management.&#x0D; The research of horizontal movement safety of nuclear fuel by means of the robotic wheeled platforms was limited to defining transportation accelerations and was performed by computer simulations using mathematical models of dynamics and electro-mechanics. The mathematical model of the robotic transport wheeled platform loaded with nuclear fuel with the on-board accelerometer ensuring the required measurements necessary for an automated safe movement control system was built in the form of the Lagrange equations of the second kind and the electro-mechanics equations of the direct current electric motors. The issue of ensuring smooth running during the displacement of a wheeled platform loaded with nuclear fuel was investigated, since especially in this mode the maximum accelerations are observed, which can lead to nuclear fuel damage. Computer simulation was performed using free Scilab software with open program code. It was demonstrated that due to the proper choice of the time algorithm of the voltage of electric motors, it is possible to ensure a small acceleration during the displacement of a robotic wheeled transport platform loaded with nuclear fuel. The obtained result substantiated the possibility of safe horizontal transportation of nuclear fuel on robotic wheeled platforms within the territories of enterprises, which will significantly reduce the harmful impact of hazardous nuclear materials on industrial personnel.

Application of machine learning algorithm in the sheet metal industry: an exploratory case study

ABSTRACT This study solved a practical problem in a case in the sheet metal industry using machine learning and deep learning algorithms. The problem in the case company was related to detecting the minimum gaps between components, which were produced after the punching operation of a metal sheet. Due to the narrow gaps between the components, an automated sheer machine could not grip the rest of the sheet skeleton properly after the punching operation. This resulted in some of the scraped sheet on the worktable being left behind, which needed a human operator to intervene. This caused an extra trigger to the production line that resulted in a break in production. To solve this critical problem, the relevant images of the components and the gaps between them were analyzed using machine learning and deep learning techniques. The outcome of this study contributed to eliminating the production bottleneck by optimizing the gaps between the punched components. This optimization process facilitated the easy and safe movement of the gripper machine and contributed to minimizing the sheet waste.

ТHE ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF TRANSPORTATION SECTOR

In a global economy, the economic opportunities and economic success of a country or region are linked to the mobility of people and goods, with the intensive use of information and communication technology. The connection between the quantity and quality of transport infrastructure and the level of economic development is obvious. The transport sector plays an important role in today’s economy and society and has a major impact on the economy of a country or region. An efficient transport sector is a critical component of economic development. Certainly, the development of the country's transport sector is an indicator of its economic prosperity and success. Developed transport infrastructure and connected transport networks are positively correlated with a high level of economic development. When transport systems are efficient, they provide economic and social opportunities and benefits that result in positive effects such as better access to markets, employment and additional investment. When transport systems are underdeveloped and unreliable, they can cause economic costs such as reduced or missed market opportunities and lower quality of life. Assessment of the socio-economic efficiency of transport projects should be mandatory when making a decision regarding their implementation. Transport is the basis of trade infrastructure, it has a significant impact on the competitiveness of certain industries in countries and regions. Imperfections in the transport system negatively affect the efficiency of the economy as a whole. Conversely, the accelerated development of transport infrastructure and the improvement of transport and logistics systems can have a significant impact on economic growth and ultimately on the population well-being. The quality of transport services has a great impact on the quality of people lives. On average, 13.2% of the budget of each household is spent on transportation of goods and services. The transport sector significantly contributes to the economy of a country by providing jobs for a large number of people involved in vehicle production, traffic safety control, vehicle management, which enables safe and efficient movement of people and goods. In short, transport networks are the heart of the supply chain and the foundation of every country's economy. The transport sector also facilitates international trade. In the conditions of globalization, where no country can fully function in isolation from other countries, the transport sector is crucial for the development of trade. Without adequate transport infrastructure, national and international trade would be almost impossible, and developing countries would find it significantly more difficult to integrate into the global economy. The aim of this paper is to point out the importance of the development of transport and transport systems for the economy at the national and global level.

A qualitative study of sedentary behaviours in stroke survivors: non-participant observations and interviews with stroke service staff in stroke units and community services

Purpose Sedentary behaviour (SB) is associated with negative health outcomes and is prevalent post-stroke. This study explored SB after stroke from the perspective of stroke service staff. Methods Qualitative mixed-methods study. Non-participant observations in two stroke services (England/Scotland) and semi-structured interviews with staff underpinned by the COM-B model of behaviour change. Observations were analysed thematically; interviews were analysed using the Framework approach. Results One hundred and thirty-two observation hours (October - December 2017), and 31 staff interviewed (January –June 2018). Four themes were identified: (1) Opportunities for staff to support stroke survivors to reduce SB; (2) Physical and psychological capability of staff to support stroke survivors to reduce SB; (3) Motivating factors influencing staff behaviour to support stroke survivors to reduce SB; (4) Staff suggestions for a future intervention to support stroke survivors to reduce SB. Conclusions Staff are aware of the consequences of prolonged sitting but did not relate to SB. Explicit knowledge of SB was limited. Staff need training to support stroke survivors to reduce SB. Sedentary behaviour in the community was not reported to change markedly, highlighting the need to engage stroke survivors in movement from when capable in hospital, following through to home. Implications for rehabilitation Stroke survivor sedentary behaviour is influenced, directly and indirectly, by the actions and instructions of stroke service staff in the inpatient and community setting. The built and social environment, both in the inpatient and community settings, may limit opportunities for safe movement and can result in stroke survivors spending more time sedentary. Stroke service staff appreciate the benefit of encouraging stroke survivors to stand and move more, if it is safe for them to do so. Staff would be amenable to encourage stroke survivors to reduce sedentary behaviour, provided they have the knowledge and resources to equip them to support this.