Stroke survivors’ experiences with rebuilding life in the community and exercising at home : A qualitative study

• Published in: Nursing Open
• Main Authors: van Dongen, Lisa, Hafsteinsdóttir, Þóra B., Parker, Ethna, Bjartmarz, Ingibjörg, Hjaltadóttir, Ingibjörg, Jónsdóttir, Helga
• Other Authors: Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Office of Division of Clinical Services I
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: Heilablóðfall; Endurhæfing; Eigindlegar rannsóknir; home rehabilitation; qualitative research; rehabilitation; stroke patients; stroke rehabilitation; Humans; Focus Groups; Stroke/therapy; Survivors; Nursing (all); Iceland
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11815/2802; https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.788

This study was funded by NordForsk programme on Health and Welfare (project ID 75920). The funding body had no role in the study design and execution. We gratefully acknowledge the contribution of all participants, including stroke survivors for participating and their caregivers for their support and rehabilitation professional at Grens?sdeild Department of Rehabilitation at Landsp?tali The National University Hospital of Iceland and the National Stroke Association Heilaheill. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. Nursing Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Aim: This study aimed to explore how stroke survivors deal with stroke-related impairments when rebuilding their lives in the community and their experiences of exercising at home. Design: An explorative and descriptive qualitative study. Methods: A purposive sample of ten stroke survivors residing at home was recruited to explore experiences of rebuilding their lives in the community and exercising at home. One focus group interview was conducted followed by semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Three main themes were identified: “Framing exercise within the context of everyday life” describes how stroke survivors integrate exercise in everyday activities with varying success and the social importance of exercising; “Managing the challenges of physical impairment” describes the taxing undertakings in daily living, loss of concentration and identity; “Long-term challenges of everyday life” describes how the stroke survivors manage depression and live with a sense of uncertainty. Peer reviewed