The Lived Care Experiences of Neurorehabilitation Inpatients: A Phenomenological Qualitative Exploratory Study

Background and Aim: Hospitalization is increasingly seen as a key factor in rehabilitation outcomes, shaped by patient satisfaction, motivation, and relationships with staff. The lived experience of neurorehabilitation across neurological conditions, such as stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and post-oncological care, remains largely unknown. This study explores the care and hospitalization experience of individuals admitted to neurorehabilitation units with diagnoses of stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and post-neurosurgical recovery following oncological procedures. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with neurological conditions were enrolled and interviewed. A descriptive phenomenological design was employed, using semi-structured interviews. Data were analyzed following Colaizzi's method, supported by Atlas.ti 25. Phenomenological analysis was used to identify themes emerging from patient narratives, with rigor ensured through independent coding, triangulation, and saturation-based sampling. Results: Five themes emerged: (1) the therapeutic bond with healthcare professionals; (2) the slow time of hospitalization, marked by waiting and boredom; (3) care is rehabilitation; (4) illness narratives; and (5) stories of closeness among inpatients and family members. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight neurorehabilitation as a relational process. These findings reinforce the importance of considering patients' experiences as an integral component of neurorehabilitation hospitalization. Future research should further explore how these dimensions may contribute to the development of more person-centered approaches to neurorehabilitation.