Recovery after stroke: perspectives of young stroke survivors in Taiwan

Abstract

Purpose

To learn about the experiences of stroke recovery among young stroke survivors in Taiwan and to elucidate the beliefs, goals, and facilitators of and barriers to their recovery.

Methods

A qualitative approach was used for data collection, and data were obtained from five focus groups consisting of stroke survivors aged 20–64 years (n = 25). Data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically by two independent coders using NVivo version 10.

Results

“Returning to prestroke status” was a common belief of recovery for stroke survivors; their goals of recovery changed overtime from regaining physical functions, independent living, and participating in work and leisure activities to maintaining functions or returning to normality. Their perceived personal and environmental facilitators of recovery included positive attitude, family and friends, and rehabilitation, whereas barriers to recovery included psychological factors, social stigma, and physical environment.

Conclusion

These findings provide useful insights for rehabilitation clinicians to develop culturally tailored interventions to improve poststroke recovery outcomes in young stroke survivors.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Rehabilitation clinicians should understand stroke survivors’ beliefs and goals of recovery to provide tailored services.

• Optimizing the goal-setting process and patient–provider communication may help clinicians and survivors examine and adjust their expectations toward recovery during rehabilitation.

• Interventions will be needed to address personal and environmental supports and barriers, such as motivation, psychological factors, social support, and the physical environment to help survivors achieve their recovery goals.

Keywords:

• Stroke
• focus groups
• rehabilitation
• qualitative research
• social support

Acknowledgments

The project team members were Yi-Cian Lai, Yi-An Lien, and Yu Su (Taipei Medical University). The authors thank our collaborating hospitals, namely Taipei Medical University Hospital, Wan Fang Hospital, and Shuang Ho Hospital.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. The funding sources did not influence the study design or findings.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (Grant nos. MOST105-2628-B-038-003-MY3 and MOST108-2314-B-038-030-MY3), National Health Research Institutes (Grant no. NHRI-EX108-10819PC), and in part by Ministry of Education, Taiwan (Grant no. DP2-109-21121-01-N-09-01).