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Designing a trial of early electrical stimulation to the stroke-affected arm: Qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators

Designing a trial of early electrical stimulation to the stroke-affected arm: Qualitative findings on the barriers and facilitators Thumbnail


Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators to implementing early therapeutic electrical stimulation (ES) treatment from both the patient and therapist perspectives as part of a feasibility study.
Methods Design: Interviews were conducted with patients and their carers and focus groups with the therapists post-intervention period. Setting: Interviews were in the patient’s homes and for the focus groups in a specialist stroke unit in Nottinghamshire. Subjects: Fifteen patient participants (34% of sample) were interviewed (intervention n = 9; control group n = 3; carers n = 3). Sixteen therapists (9 occupational therapists; 7 physiotherapists) took part in the three focus groups. Intervention: Participants were randomized to receive usual care or usual care and ES to wrist flexors and extensors for 30 min, twice a day, 5 days a week for 3 months. Findings: The barriers to ES treatment cited by the therapists outweighed the barriers mentioned by patients. Therapists’ barriers included lack of confidence and staff knowledge regarding ES and time pressures of delivering the ES. No patients mentioned time as a barrier and considered the treatment regime to be acceptable; however, lack of staff support was mentioned 14 times by them. Conclusion: Although initially the perceived barrier for therapists was time restrictions, after analysing the data, it appears that confidence/knowledge is the real barrier, and time is the manifestation of this underlying self-doubt. Patients were able to confidently self-manage treatment, and although efficacy was not measured, patients volunteered information regarding its perceived benefit, and no adverse effects were reported.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Feb 5, 2021
Online Publication Date Sep 26, 2021
Publication Date Sep 26, 2021
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal British Journal of Occupational Therapy
Print ISSN 0308-0226
Publisher SAGE Publications
Volume 85
Issue 3
Pages 181-186
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226211008706
Keywords Electrical stimulation; stroke; rehabilitation; qualitative; trial design
Publisher URL https://doi.org/10.1177%2F03080226211008706

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