Dr Peter Hartley

Many people who have had a stroke suffer long-term cognitive and physical impairments, depression, and reduced social participation. Further, people who have had a stroke are at high risk of a recurrent stroke or other cardiovascular events.

Higher levels of physical activity after stroke are thought to have many benefits including improvements in neuroplasticity, prevention of deconditioning, and a reduction in the likelihood of recurrent strokes or cardiovascular events. Yet, after stroke, in hospital and at home, many people live very sedentary lifestyles. To develop our understanding of how we may reduce the burden of stroke and the risk of further strokes the fellowship aims to investigate how people can be supported to be more active after stroke, including exercising at higher intensity which may be particularly beneficial.

To understand physical activity in hospital after stroke, we will conduct two reviews:

1. a review to understand system-wide influences on physical activity in hospital,
2. a review of interventions designed to improve physical activity levels in hospital.

To understand how people who have had a stroke may be supported to participate in higher-intensity exercise known as cardiorespiratory training, we will conduct three further studies:

1. a survey to assess current provision, beliefs regarding risks and barriers to delivering cardiorespiratory training after stroke,
2. an interview study to develop a detailed understanding of beliefs regarding benefits and risks, barriers, and facilitators of cardiorespiratory training,
3. a review to summarise evidence on cardiac rehabilitation-based interventions for people who have had a stroke or transient ischaemic attack.

Peter gave a lightning talk about his research at our annual conference, THIS Space 2025:

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Research articles

Hartley, P., et al. (2026) Adapted cardiac rehabilitation for individuals after stroke and transient ischaemic attack: A scoping review. Clin Rehabil.

Hartley, P., et al. (2026) Cardiorespiratory training after stroke or transient ischemic attack in the United Kingdom: a national survey. Physiotherapy.

Hartley, P., et al. (2025) Influences on the physical activity behaviour of inpatients after stroke outside of staff-led rehabilitation sessions: a systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation.

Hartley, P., et al. (2025) Effectiveness of interventions in increasing physical activity of inpatients after stroke: a systematic review and meta- analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation.