Article

OBJECTIVE: To describe stroke survivors' experiences of sensory impairment in the
upper limb, the influence of such impairment on daily life, coping strategies
used, and sensory training for the affected hand.
DESIGN: A qualitative study
with a content analysis approach. SUBJECTS:
Fifteen post-stroke patients
interviewed individually. RESULTS: Five categories emerged from the data:
"Changed and varied perception of the sensation";
"Affected movement control";
"Problems using the hand in daily life"; "Various strategies to cope with upper
limb disability"; and "Lack of sensory training". Numbness and tingling, changes
in temperature sensitivity, and increased sensitivity to touch and pain were
reported. Many subjects had difficulty adjusting their grip force and performing
movements with precision. It was problematic and mentally fatiguing managing
personal care and carrying out household and leisure activities. Practical
adaptations, compensation with vision, increased concentration, and use of the
less affected hand were strategies used to overcome difficulties. Despite their
problems very few subjects had received any specific sensory training for the hand. CONCLUSION: Stroke survivors perceive that sensory impairment of the upper
limb has a highly negative impact on daily life, but specific rehabilitation for
the upper limb is lacking.
These findings imply that the clinical management of
upper limb sensory impairment after stroke requires more attention.

Langue : ANGLAIS