Transitions in the Embodied Experience After Stroke: Grounded Theory Study.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience and Rehabilitation
• Embodied Cognition and Self-Perception
• Physical Therapy and Stroke Recovery

Background:

• Physical therapy practice centers on the body, yet clinical theories often overlook the concept of embodiment.
• A deeper understanding of the embodied experience can significantly improve the delivery of physical therapy services.
• Exploring embodiment is essential for addressing the holistic needs of patients undergoing rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the embodied experience of individuals with stroke during their transition from hospital to home.
• To gain in-depth insights into how stroke survivors perceive and relate to their bodies.
• To develop a theoretical model of embodiment in the context of post-stroke recovery.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with seven individuals who had experienced a stroke.
• Participants were aged 66 to 89 years and interviewed one month after discharge from a stroke rehabilitation unit.
• Grounded theory methodology was employed for data analysis, leading to the development of a theoretical model.

Main Results:

• Two primary themes emerged: 'a divergent body-self' (body as separate, strange, unpredictable, effortful) and 'a cohesive body-self' (body as integrated, controllable, essential to self-identity).
• Participants frequently shifted between these embodied perspectives, influenced by environmental, cognitive, and attitudinal 'anchors'.
• The 'divergent body-self' theme included experiences of the body feeling alien, while the 'cohesive body-self' theme encompassed feelings of freedom, control, and self-identity.

Conclusions:

• The embodied experience after stroke is intrinsically linked to an individual's sense of self.
• Environmental factors, personal knowledge, and attitudes act as crucial anchors, facilitating a more comfortable embodied experience.
• Physical therapists require enhanced knowledge to integrate the embodied experience into their practice for improved stroke patient care.