Body and identity in physiotherapy after stroke

ABSTRACT

Background: Stroke has been described as a rupture of current life, causing changes in the patient’s identity. This has important consequences for the patient’s life after stroke. Nevertheless, there is still a lack of science on the subject and also a lack of consistency in how to confront this in rehabilitation.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore how interaction between patient and physiotherapist is conducted and how an approach inspired by phenomenology might support and develop identity.

Design and Methods: A qualitative study based on empirical data consisting of 146 short videos of physiotherapist and patient interactions as well as observations and interviews of physiotherapists and patients. Twelve patients were included, and data was constructed throughout their rehabilitation process (on average 2.5 years). Data was analyzed using an analytical model for multimodal interaction.

Result: Four themes emerged: 1) feedback as a bodily knowledge; 2) control of the process; 3) adjustment; and 4) the bodily approach. The results revealed the importance of approaching the patient body as both an object and a subject in order to interact with the patient’s bodily knowledge.

Conclusion: A phenomenological approach to the patient can support the patient’s embodied knowledge, and can thereby support and develop the patient’s identity.

KEYWORDS:

• Physiotherapy
• bodily approach
• identity
• phenomenology
• stroke

Acknowledement

A special thank you goes to the patients, their families, and the health professionals who took the time and trouble to participate in this research. The study was funded by Aalborg University, Hammel Neurorehabilitation and Research Centre, and VIA University College, Denmark.

Declaration of interest

The authors declare no potential conflicts of interest.