Introduction: Leisure participation is important for the health and well-being of stroke survivors and their caregivers. To date, programs designed to enhance leisure participation in this population have been delivered in person. Using the Internet to deliver leisure intervention has the potential to reach a more varied and broad population. 

Objective: To develop an online version of an existing face-to-face leisure training program for stroke survivors and their caregivers.

Methods: An initial version was developed based on (1) the contents of a previous leisure education program for stroke survivors (Carbonneau, 1995; Desrosiers et al., 2007); (2) a needs assessment of community-dwellling older adults with stroke (n=20); (3) a literature review on leisure participation of stroke caregivers. The content and format of the program were validated using focus group discussions with members of a local stroke support group (n=6), telephone interviews with caregivers (n=3) and consultations with interdisciplinary experts (n=10). 

Results: This program, designed to promote personal empowerment, includes six modules with versions for stroke survivors and caregivers. The program guides them to identify the benefits of leisure participation; to become aware of their leisure attitudes, interests, and strenghts; and to develop the skills (e.g. setting goals) and knowledge of the resources available. The program involves a variety of modalities (short written summaries, video clips, interactive quizzes, goal setting).

Conclusion: This program was developed with input from key stakeholders to address important educational needs related to leisure participation post-stroke. The next step is to evaluate its feasibility and usability with this population.

PROMOTING LEISURE PARTICIPATION POST-STROKE: A WEB-BASED PROGRAM FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS