Introduction
sub-acute stroke, stroke, acute stroke, Stroke
STROKE, ACUTE STROKE, STROKE
The Implicit Learning in Stroke Study (IMPS) was a mixed methods, pilot cluster-randomised controlled trial, investigating the impact of implicit learning principles on the recovery of lower limb motor function in sub-acute stroke rehabilitation [The IMPS study involved eight acute stroke units (SU’s) in the UK, who were cluster randomised to either adopt principles of implicit learning during rehabilitation (n = 4), or continue with usual care (n = 4). Here we report findings from a nested qualitative study, which sought to understand therapist perceptions of implementing, and patient experiences of receiving, the implicit learning approach.The challenge of implementing research findings within stroke rehabilitation is well documented [Normalisation Process Theory (NPT), which identifies, characterises and explains key mechanisms that motivate and shape implementation, was used to underpin this research [The purposes of this qualitative evaluation were to: i) understand how therapists made sense of, engaged with and interpreted the effects of the IMPS intervention; ii) compare this to the experience reported by patients; iii) inform future research design and potential translation into practice; and iv) extrapolate learning of broader relevance to the design and conduct of research involving complex interventions in stroke rehabilitation.