Perceptions of Communication and Mobility Recovery Among Stroke Survivors With and Without Aphasia

Self-perceived recovery after stroke can substantially impact quality of life. Yet, a disability paradox exists whereby disability and perceived recovery do not align. This study explored stroke survivors' perceptions of their communication and mobility recovery, including perceived facilitators and barriers. Potential differences between the experiences of participants with aphasia (PWA) and participants without aphasia (PWOA) were also examined to explore the impact of communication disability on recovery experience. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 adults with stroke 3 months after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Qualitative data in the form of interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic content analysis. Participants described their communication recovery primarily in terms of word-finding difficulty and slowed language formulation; they described their mobility recovery in terms of their ability to walk, their use of an assistive device, or their ability to participate in pre-stroke activities. Facilitators to recovery were described in the areas of (1) family involvement, (2) rehabilitation services and professionals, (3) personal factors, and (4) the need for self-reliance. Barriers were expressed in the domains of (1) physical difficulties, (2) communication difficulties, and (3) psychological difficulties. Key findings from this study include perceived needs for a high intensity of rehabilitation, earlier implementation of communication partner training for families of stroke survivors with communication impairments, and consideration of factors outside of stroke when tailoring intervention to the individual. Overall, these findings suggest a continued need for individuation rather than standardization of care, with an eye to both impairment and broader quality of life factors.