Reading to stroke unit patients: perceived impact and potential of an innovative arts based therapy

This study investigated the delivery of an arts based intervention to stroke patients and sought users' and professionals' views of any perceived benefits.

The study was undertaken on the stroke rehabilitation ward of a London teaching hospital.

Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 21 patients, 3 health care professionals and 5 reading service personnel. Observation sessions were carried out weekly for the 10-month duration of the project. Data were analysed using the Framework method.

The reading service, run by Interact, a registered charity, aims to entertain, stimulate and engage patients. Readers are professional actors trained to work specifically with stroke patients. Interact provides a selection of reading materials or alternatively patients provide their own material.

Participants' accounts suggested that the service met its aim of providing entertainment and stimulation. Additionally, there was some evidence that taking part in the reading service was associated with participants' emotional well being, the processes of adjusting to hospitalisation and to their engagement in rehabilitation therapies. Hospital staff acknowledged the service benefited patients with regard to spiritual, emotional/psychological needs. However they maintained that the service, as entertainment rather than therapy, was of minor importance.

This arts based intervention was welcomed by patients and seemed to address some needs not met in the current configuration of care. These findings suggest that interventions such as the reading service point to ways in which it is possible to enhance the rehabilitation environment and perhaps facilitate better outcomes for stroke patients.