To what extent are family members and friends involved in physiotherapy and the delivery of exercises to people with stroke

Rose Galvin, Tara Cusack, Emma Stokes

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the views of people with stroke, their 'family membersfriends' and physiotherapists on the role of the family in physiotherapy and the delivery of exercises following stroke. Methods. A self-report questionnaire was administered to 100 'family membersfriends' and 75 people with stroke. Two focus groups were conducted with 10 expert physiotherapists working in the area of stroke rehabilitation. Results. Family members of people with stroke are willing to participate in the delivery of unsupervised exercises in the hospital and the home setting n 91. Furthermore, this is also acceptable to people with stroke n 65 as an adjunct to routine physiotherapy. Physiotherapists highlighted a number of factors that influenced participation in physiotherapy such as; level of interest and motivation of the family n 5, availability n 3 and importance of education n 2. 'Family membersfriends' identified reasons that would also limit participation such as work commitments n 24, lack of confidence n 20 and unsuitable treatment times n 13. The expert practitioners outlined a number of areas that family involvement can have an impact, such as treatment carry-over, assisting the family unit to cope on discharge and improving handling skills. Conclusions. Our study identifies an under-utilised role for 'family membersfriends' in the rehabilitation of people with stroke. Family mediated exercises can maximise the carry-over outside formal physiotherapy giving patients the opportunity for informal practice. This study highlights the need to examine the value of a structured programme of exercises that can be delivered to people with stroke by their 'family membersfriends'.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)898-905
Number of pages8
JournalDisability and Rehabilitation
Volume31
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Additional excercise therapy
  • Family
  • Involvement
  • Stroke

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