The experiences of how time is spent helping recovery on a stroke rehabilitation unit for stroke survivors with aphasia
What did the researchers aim to find out?
· How do people with aphasia spend their time in hospital on a stroke rehabilitation unit?
What type of research was done?
This was an interview study.
Results of the research
We found that:
· participants did not feel that their therapy was sufficient or sufficiently meaningful
· participants felt supported by their family, other stroke survivors, and staff but being supported by different staff was unhelpful
· participants felt excluded from conversations and disempowered in decision-making
Why was the research done?
Stroke survivors with aphasia experience challenges during hospital stroke rehabilitation. These include limited rehabilitation activities and difficulties interacting with staff.
We do not know much about the experience of stroke survivors with aphasia in how their time is spent supporting recovery in UK hospitals.
What does the research mean for me and others?
This research helps us to improve stroke care for people with aphasia in hospital.
We know what areas of stroke care that need to be improved.
What research methods were used?
We interviewed 6 people with aphasia before they left the stroke rehabilitation unit.
We asked questions including:
· How they spent their time in therapy?
· How they spent their time when not having therapy?
· How they wanted to spend their time?
How to obtain the treatment detailed in the research?
N/A
Background information on the research topic
Stroke survivors with aphasia experience challenges during hospital stroke rehabilitation.
These include limited activities and difficulties interacting with healthcare professionals.
There has not been much exploration of the experience of stroke survivors with aphasia in hospitals in the UK.
Risks related to the research
The research did not have significant risks.
Who was allowed to take part in the research?
People with aphasia on the stroke rehabilitation unit who could take part in an interview.
Information about the people who took part
6 people with aphasia were interviewed.
Participants were three men and three women. Their average age was 65 years.
They had a range of aphasia severity.
They had an average stay on the stroke unit of 97-days.
Why was the research done this way?
Interviewing people was a suitable method to look at people's experiences.
Interviewing meant that people's communication could be helped by the interview.
When was the research done?
Interviews took place between January 2020 and October 2023.
Participants 1 and 2 were interviewed before the COVID pandemic (Jan-Mar 2020).
The stroke unit closed during the COVID pandemic and was moved to a different hospital.
Participants 3–6 were interviewed once the stroke rehabilitation unit had been moved (Feb 2022-Oct 2023).
Where was the research done?
In a NHS stroke rehabilitation unit in the UK
Where did the money come from?
The research was supported by a small grant from the Council for Allied Health Professions Research
Problems with the research
Only a small number of participants were interviewed.
They were interviewed by a research involved in their stroke care.
Is the research trustworthy?
Yes.
Next steps
N/a
Where to find information related to the research?
N/a
