2024 Reports

Beyond Limits: A Stroke Survivor’s Journey to Preventing Arm Complication

Gillen, Glen; Park, So Hyun

Stroke is a major global health concern that often leads to upper limb weakness and significant recovery challenges due to secondary complications such as pain, swelling, and contractures. The purpose of this study is to introduce a comprehensive patient education manual designed to prevent or delay secondary complications, including contractures, edema, and shoulder pain, in stroke survivors with upper limb weakness.

In developing this manual, we collaborated with three stroke rehabilitation occupational therapy experts from diverse backgrounds. These experts reviewed the manual and provided valuable insights, validating its effectiveness. We employed a qualitative approach by asking the experts three open-ended questions for each section, recording their responses, and analyzing the data to identify valuable themes. However, due to the small sample size, no clear themes emerged. Instead, we received suggestions, which were confirmed by an external corroborator.

This manual is intended to benefit both occupational therapists and stroke survivors. Therapists can use it to anticipate and address potential complications, while survivors can learn techniques for home exercises and post-therapy care. The overarching goal is to provide stroke survivors with a simplified approach to rehabilitation and encourage active participation in their recovery, thereby improving their quality of life.