Article

OBJECTIVE: To report and synthesize the perspectives, experiences, and
preferences of stroke survivors undertaking inpatient physical rehabilitation
through a systematic review of qualitative studies. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO were searched from database inception to February
2014. Reference lists of relevant publications were searched. All languages were
included. STUDY SELECTION: Qualitative studies reporting stroke survivors'
experiences of inpatient stroke rehabilitation were selected independently by 2
reviewers. The search yielded 3039 records; 95 full-text publications were
assessed for eligibility, and 32 documents (31 studies) were finally included.
Comprehensiveness and explicit reporting were assessed independently by 2
reviewers using the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research
framework. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. DATA EXTRACTION: Data
regarding characteristics of the included studies were extracted by 1 reviewer,
tabled, and checked for accuracy by another reviewer. All text reported in
studies' results sections were entered into qualitative data management software
for analysis. DATA SYNTHESIS: Extracted texts were inductively coded and analyzed
in 3 phases using thematic synthesis. Nine interrelated analytical themes, with
descriptive subthemes, were identified that related to issues of importance to
stroke survivors: (1) physical activity is valued; (2) bored and alone; (3)
patient-centered therapy; (4) recreation is also rehabilitation; (5) dependency
and lack of control; (6) fostering autonomy; (7) power of communication and
information; (8) motivation needs nurturing; and (9) fatigue can overwhelm.
CONCLUSIONS: The thematic synthesis provides new insights into stroke survivors'
experiences of inpatient rehabilitation. Negative experiences were reported in
all studies and include disempowerment, boredom, and frustration. Rehabilitation
could be improved by increasing activity within formal therapy and in free time,
fostering patients' autonomy through genuinely patient-centered care, and more
effective communication and information. Future stroke rehabilitation research
should take into account the experiences and preferences of stroke survivors.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS