Table 2.

Proximal objectives and strategies for programme content

Proximal objectives & recommended strategies		Ev	count	Au	Ca1	Ca2	Ca3	Ca4	Ca5	Eu	Ne	NZ	SA	Si	UK1	UK2	UK3	US1	US2	US3	US4	US5
				[41]	[37]	[42]	[38]	[43]	[1]	[44]	[3]	[48]	[36]	[49]	[45]	[47]	[35]	[39]	[40]	[34]	[2]	[46]
1	Increase muscle strength		10	X		X		X			X	X			X		X	X	X		X
	a. Lower limb strengthening	1	8			X		X	X		X						X		X	X	X
	b. Upper limb strengthening	1	10		X	X		X	X		X				X		X		X	X	X
	c. Trunk and core muscle strengthening	2	3			X											X		X
2	Increase aerobic endurance		12		X	X		X	X	X	X	X			X		X	X	X		X
	a. Treadmill training	1	6		X	X		X			X								X		X
	b. Use of static bicycle	1	3			X											X		X
	c. Other large muscle group aerobic activity	2	2			X											X
3	Regain and maintain normal joint range of movement		5			X									X		X		X		X
	a. Lower limb stretching	2	3		X	X											X
	b. Upper limb stretching	1	4		X	X			X		X
	c. Trunk stretching	2	2			X											X
	d. Lower limb movement through range	2	2		X												X
	e. Upper limb movement through range	2	3		X		X										X
	f. Unspecified stretch/ range of movement exercises	3	5			X	X								X				X		X
4	Enhance sensorimotor functions required for functional activity		7		X	X	X								X		X	X	X
	a. Standing balance training	1	5			X		X	X								X				X
	b. Sitting balance training	1	4			X		X			X										X
	c. Aquatic balance training	1	2						X												X
	d. Unspecified balance training	1	3						X						X				X
	e. Cyclic movements of paretic arm	2	3								X						X				X
	f. Proprioceptive & kinaesthetic training	2	6		X		X	X			X	X									X
	g. Mental rehearsal of upper limb movements	1	8	X	X		X	X	X			X			X						X
5	Enhance functional ability		12	X	X	X	X	X			X	X			X		X		X	X	X
	a. Standing up & sitting down practice	1	7		X	X		X			X	X			X		X
	b. Step training / stair climbing	1	5			X		X									X		X		X
	c. Walking (including treadmill training)	1	11	X	X	X		X	X			X			X		X		X	X	X
	d. Walking with rhythmic cueing	1	6	X				X	X		X	X									X
	e. Paretic upper limb task-related training	1	11	X	X		X	X	X		X	X			X		X			X	X
	f. Bilateral upper limb task-related training	1	5	X				X				X			X						X
6	Establish & maintain motivation for regular physical exercise		6	X		X						X			X	X	X
	a. Address personal beliefs & attitudes	2	1														X
	b. Promote personal goal-setting	2	3									X			X		X
	c. Use motivational interviewing	2	1												X
	d. Promote use of personal reflective diaries	3	1														X
	e. Promote use of personal exercise record including repetitions, load and time spent	3	2														X	X
	f. Use positive feedback	2	1												X
	g. Emphasise enjoyment	3	2			X											X
7	Develop self-management skills for ongoing physical exercise		1			X
	a. Educate for self-monitoring for adverse events	3	1														X
	b. Promote active problem-solving	3	3									X			X						X
	c. Develop self-efficacy skills	3	2			X									X
	d. Encourage self-monitoring to set appropriate exercise levels	3	2			X											X
	e. Encourage independent practice of exercises	3	2			X											X
	f. Provide guidance booklets	3	1														X

Ev = highest level of evidence presented for strategy.

n = number of guidelines explicitly including objective or strategy.

Au = Australia; Ca = Canada; Eu = Europe; Ne = Netherlands, NZ = New Zealand; SA = South Africa; Si = Singapore.