Factors affecting rehabilitation and use of upper limb after stroke: views from healthcare professionals and stroke survivors

Background: Training of the upper limb (UL) is limited in stroke rehabilitation, and about 50% of stroke survivors do not regain useful function in their upper limb.

Objectives: This study explored what factors affect rehabilitation and use of upper limb after stroke from a stroke survivor and healthcare professional perspective to better understand low engagement in UL rehabilitation in the chronic stages of stroke.

Method: Eight chronic stroke survivors and 21 healthcare professionals took part in semi-structured interviews or in one of three focus groups, respectively.

Results: Thematic analysis revealed three main themes: Availability of resources, Healthcare professional–patient relationship, and Psychosocial factors. Availability of resources and Healthcare professional–patient relationship indicated that due to resource pressures and a lack of communication and education, positive upper limb rehabilitation behaviors (e.g. engaging and integrating the upper limb in daily activity) were not always established in the early stages post-stroke. Psychosocial factors illustrated the cognitive and psychological barriers to sustained engagement with upper limb rehabilitation.

Conclusion: The findings indicate that stroke survivors and healthcare professionals have very similar understandings of barriers to UL activity, and positive upper limb rehabilitation behaviors are not always established early in recovery post-stroke. Increased resources and healthcare professional–patient relationships seem key factors to establishing positive perceptions of UL rehabilitation. Addressing psychosocial issues and resource limitations may help sustain engagement with UL rehabilitation.