Understanding and enhancing post-stroke recovery: Insights from a nested qualitative study within the MindFit Project...

Area of Science:

• Neurorehabilitation
• Stroke Recovery
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Stroke survivors face significant physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
• The MindFit Project, a 12-week remote randomized clinical trial, involved 141 chronic stroke patients in three groups: mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) + computerized cognitive training (CCT), physical exercise (PE) + CCT, and CCT alone.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate chronic stroke survivors' experiences and perceived changes from remote rehabilitation interventions.
• To describe the broader recovery journey of stroke survivors.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory nested qualitative study with 27 purposively sampled participants.
• Semi-structured one-on-one interviews were conducted with participants from MBSR+CCT, PE+CCT, and CCT-only groups.
• Interview data were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Participants reported positive impacts of interventions: MBSR for emotional regulation, PE for physical capabilities, and CCT for cognition.
• Group settings offered peer support and motivation, though heterogeneity presented challenges.
• Remote delivery enhanced accessibility but limited personal interaction and supervision.

Conclusions:

• Stroke recovery is complex, necessitating holistic, patient-centered rehabilitation.
• Combining physical and non-physical interventions in group settings shows promise.
• Remote rehabilitation platforms can improve accessibility and inform future clinical trials.