Stroke survivors' perceptions of the factors that influence engagement in activity outside dedicated therapy sessions in a rehabilitation unit: A qualitative study.

Objective: To investigate stroke survivors' perceptions of factors influencing their engagement in activity outside of dedicated therapy sessions during inpatient rehabilitation.

Design: Qualitative study.

Setting: Four metropolitan rehabilitation units in Australia.

Participants: People undertaking inpatient rehabilitation after stroke.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews conducted in person by a speech pathologist A stepped iterative process of inductive analysis was employed until data saturation was achieved with themes then applied against the three domains of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (perceived behavioural control, social norms and attitude).

Results: Interviews of 33 stroke survivors (60% female, median age of 73 years) revealed five themes (i) uncertainty about how to navigate and what was available for use in the rehabilitation unit restricts activity and (ii) post-stroke mobility, fatigue and pre- and post-stroke communication impairments restrict activity (perceived behavioural control); (iii) unit set up, rules (perceived and actual) and staff expectations influence activity and (iv) visiting family and friends are strong facilitators of activity (social norms), and (v) personal preferences and mood influence level of activity (attitude).

Conclusion: At the individual level, stroke survivors perceived that their ability to be active outside of dedicated therapy sessions was influenced by their impairments, including mood, and their attitude towards and preference for activity. At the ward level, stroke survivors perceived that their ability to be active was influenced by ward set-up, rules and staff expectations. Visitors were perceived to be important facilitators of activity outside of therapy sessions.