Reasons for recovery after stroke: A perspective based on personal experience

Abstract

An important finding of this study was that individuals all identified a number of specific factors which had supported or hindered their own recovery. There were a diversity of both internal/personal and external factors which may not be surprising, given the complexity of stroke, but all participants stressed the importance of both factors. The findings from this study are preliminary and relate only to this particular group of participants, as such they cannot be generalizable to the stroke population as a whole. However, the interaction between the two themes identified requires further exploration, especially in relation to therapy which could have both a positive and negative influence on personal control. There is a clear need to understand how professionals can, in the first place, take time to identify each individual's preferences and personal goals and secondly, make sure that these are fully addressed in a planned treatment programme. This will ensure that progress in individuals after stroke is supported by professionals with a more eclectic, individualized approach.

Hope in people with aphasia

“…This form of hope was often constant and unaffected by the stroke (Bays, 2001). Outcome-oriented hope bore similarities to goals, for example, hoping to return home or to return to normal (Bays, 2001;Jones, et al, 2008;Pilkington, 1999) but may not be an essential part of hope (Cross & Schneider, 2010). As an active process, it incorporated cognitive engagement with hope alongside a process of acting on hopes.…”

“…As a broad sense, hope was considered a state of being, positive and essential for life (Arnaert, Filteau, & Sourial, 2006;Barker & Brauer, 2005;Bays, 2001;Cross & Schneider, 2010;Haggstrom, Axelsson, & Norberg, 1994;Jones, Mandy, & Partridge, 2008). This form of hope was often constant and unaffected by the stroke (Bays, 2001).…”

“…This could include evaluating hopes (Dowswell, Dowswell, Lawler, Green, & Young, 2002) and participating in rehabilitation (Arnaert, et al, 2006;Barker & Brauer, 2005;Bays, 2001). Levels of hope could fluctuate following stroke (Cross & Schneider, 2010;Jones, et al, 2008) and could co-exist with emotions such as worry, uncertainty and fear (Arnaert, et al, 2006;Folden, 1994;Jones, et al, 2008). Hope could be developed and maintained through internal factors such as personal attitude, progress to date and stroke severity (Arnaert, et al, 2006;Barker & Brauer, 2005;Bays, 2001;Cross & Schneider, 2010;Dowswell, et al, 2002;Jones, et al, 2008;Nilsson, Jansson, & Norberg, 1997;Popovich, Fox, & Bandagi, 2007;Pound, Bury, Gompertz, & Ebrahim, 1994) and external factors such as social connections, spiritual sources and healthcare professionals (Arnaert, et al, 2006;Barker & Brauer, 2005;Bays, 2001;Cross & Schneider, 2010;Jones, et al, 2008;Popovich, et al, 2007;Pound, et al, 1994).…”

Trajectories of Psychological Distress After Stroke

“…20,21 Psychological morbidity after stroke is a broader construct than poststroke depression; anxiety, subsyndromal mood disturbance, and other psychological morbidities have also been documented in the poststroke period. 4 There are few stroke-specifi c qualitative studies exploring recovery trajectories, [22][23][24] and to our knowledge there are no qualitative studies documenting depressive or other psychological symptom trajectories after stroke. This construct is clinically relevant to primary care physicians, as most stroke survivors receive ongoing care in the community after discharge from a secondary or tertiary health care setting.…”

Vulnerability and Post-Stroke Experiences of Working-Age Survivors During Recovery

“…Morris, Oliver, Kroll, Joice, and Williams (2015) recognize the socio-ecological complexity of stroke care and rehabilitation to encompass broader social and environmental considerations. Ideally, the young survivor is empowered throughout his or her recovery, with health care professionals supporting his or her decision making and control in setting and achieving rehabilitation goals (Ellis-Hill, Payne, & Ward, 2008;Jones, Mandy, & Partridge, 2008;Kubina, Dubouloz, Davis, Kessler, & Egan, 2013;Peoples et al, 2011). Nevertheless, in June 2015 the World Stroke Organisation launched the Young Stroke Initiative to address sector-wide shortcomings and improve recovery outcomes for this group (WSO, 2015).…”