Empowering Stroke Recovery Through the ACT NOW Toolkit

The ACT NOW Toolkit is a comprehensive, evidence-based resource designed to support health professionals working with stroke survivors. Developed through a collaboration between Flinders University and Flinders Medical Centre, in partnership with rehabilitation experts, stroke survivors and carers, it aims to promote sustainable physical activity and long-term well-being after stroke. 

🎯 Purpose and Users

The primary aim of the toolkit is to encourage health professionals—such as physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, occupational therapists, and allied health assistants—to design and deliver tailored exercise and physical activity programs that stroke survivors are motivated to maintain over time. It is adaptable for diverse settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and community environments, and can even be tailored for broader behavior change goals like dietary improvement or smoking cessation. 

Development Process & Foundation

Guided by the WHO’s 2003 "Adherence to Long-Term Therapies Project," the toolkit was built in four rigorous stages:

1. Literature Review – Identifying gaps in existing adherence toolkits.
2. Surveys & Focus Groups – Gathering lived experiences and professional insights.
3. Stakeholder Consultation – Co-designing the toolkit framework with users.
4. Pilot & Evaluation – Testing resources with health professionals and stroke survivors. 

This systematic, co-designed approach ensures the toolkit meets real-world needs and is grounded in best practice.

Behavioural Theory at the Core

Using the Behaviour Change Wheel and the COM-B model (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation – Behaviour), the toolkit equips clinicians with strategies to foster meaningful behavior change. These frameworks support clinicians in addressing motivational barriers—such as low confidence or self-efficacy—through techniques like individualised counselling, goal-setting, and problem-solving, all proven to enhance program adherence.

Practical Tools & Resources

Accessible upon registration, the toolkit provides:

• A guided flowchart interface for selecting tailored assessments and planning tools.
• A suite of downloadable resources: action plans, behavior-change tools, stages-of-change frameworks, and guides to support survivors in creating long-term activity habits.
• Integrated multimedia assets, including video demonstrations, user guides, and testimonials from clinicians and stroke survivors. [

Impact and Vision

The ACT NOW Toolkit is more than a collection of tools—it’s a bridge between clinical science and real-world rehabilitation. By empowering clinicians with theory-driven, co-designed, and contextually relevant solutions, it enables stroke survivors to “move more for life.” Strong exercise adherence is closely linked to improved functional recovery, highlighting the toolkit's significance in enhancing lifetime health outcomes for people affected by stroke. 

In summary, the ACT NOW Toolkit delivers an innovative, clinician-focused resource that merges behavioural science with real-world usability—supporting stroke survivors to live healthier, more active lives.

Click here for more information and to access the toolkit.