Participant perspectives on an individualised self-awareness intervention following stroke: A qualitative case study

Abstract

Most research investigating the efficacy of neurorehabilitation has focused upon pre- versus post-intervention functioning, which is important for evidence-based practice but overlooks the therapeutic process. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to investigate a participant's perspective of experiences in therapy throughout an awareness rehabilitation intervention. The participant (CP), a young male with awareness deficits following a right thalamic stroke, had repeatedly attempted to return to work and experienced recurrent periods of depression associated with his employment difficulties. Throughout a 12-session rehabilitation intervention, which targeted self-awareness and self-regulation skills, CP provided interview feedback concerning his experiences of different therapy exercises. The key themes emerging from the data regarding CP's perspectives included: understanding benchmarks and the value of feedback, learning through practical exercises, and individualising therapy. In collaboration with a disability employment support service, CP achieved paid durable employment. This study highlights the importance of considering participants' perspectives of the therapeutic process to assist in the design and evaluation of awareness rehabilitation interventions.

Acknowledgments

A Public Health Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council and a grant from the Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine jointly funded the present study.