Exploring Barriers and Facilitators to Early Rehabilitation in Post-Stroke Hand Dysfunction: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Early rehabilitation is vital for improving limb function and quality of life in stroke survivors with hand dysfunction.
• Limited research exists on factors affecting patient participation in early rehabilitation for post-stroke hand dysfunction.
• Understanding these factors is key to developing strategies that enhance patient motivation and engagement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the barriers and facilitators impacting early rehabilitation participation in patients with post-stroke hand dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative study was conducted.
• Purposive sampling selected 15 patients with post-stroke hand dysfunction.
• Semi-structured interviews were performed at a Shanghai tertiary hospital (March-April 2024), with data analyzed thematically.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: perceived benefits of early treatment, active patient and family participation, low self-efficacy, and unmet medical needs.
• These themes highlight multifaceted influences on rehabilitation engagement.
• Sub-themes further detailed the nuances within each major category.

Conclusions:

• Patient participation in early stroke rehabilitation is influenced by various factors.
• Intervention strategies should focus on patient/family education, healthcare professional training, post-discharge support, and health insurance optimization.