Article

The aim of this study was to explore older people's experiences of
living with neurogenic claudication (NC), their preferences for physiotherapy
treatment provision and associated outcomes in order to inform an intervention to
be tested in a clinical trial. METHOD: Patients with a diagnosis of NC and/or
lumbar spinal stenosis were recruited through a UK NHS tertiary care center.
Semi-structured interviews and self-report questionnaires were used to obtain
data. A thematic analysis was conducted. RESULTS: 15 participants were recruited;
half were classed as frail older adults. Pain and the threat of pain was a
prominent feature of participants' experience of NC. This led to a loss of
engagement in meaningful activities and sense of self. Discourses of ageing
influenced experiences as well as treatment preferences, particularly the
acceptability of walking aids. A combination of one-to-one and group setting for
treatment was preferred. Outcome preferences related to re-engagement in
meaningful activities and pain reduction. Limitations relate to generalisability
of the findings for NC patients not under physiotherapy treatment. CONCLUSION: We
have obtained important findings about older people's experiences of living with
NC and preferences for physiotherapy treatment and outcomes. These will be
incorporated into an evidence-based intervention and evaluated in a randomized
controlled trial. Implications for rehabilitation Older people living with NC
want to get back to meaningful activities and learn how to live with the threat
of pain. Allied health professionals (AHPs) should be sensitive to the complex
and ambiguous ways in which older people live with ageing and age-related
decline. AHPs are in a position to support patients' successful transition to the
use of walking aids thereby reducing stigmatizing effects and increasing
activity. AHPs should consider a mixture of one-to-one and group classes to
enable rehabilitation for older NC patients.

Langue : ANGLAIS