Erica Twardzik1, Natalie Colabianchi2, Lilia Duncan3, Lynda D Lisabeth4, Susan H Brown3, Philippa J Clarke5. 1. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 830 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. Electronic address: etwardz1@jh.edu. 2. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 830 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104-1248, USA. 3. School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 830 N University Ave, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA. 4. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. 5. Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-2029, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI, 48104-1248, USA.
Abstract
Stroke survivors face unique challenges in the outdoor environment when returning to their home community following a stroke. Challenges include navigating uneven terrain, social stigma, and adapting to changes in functioning. Outdoor environments may serve as potential points of intervention to promote independence and participation post stroke. This study aimed to understand lived post-stroke experience in the outdoor environment as it pertains to independent mobility. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 stroke survivors (8 males, 12 females; mean age 64.2 years: range 45 years-90 years). Participants were eligible if they were over the age of 45, could communicate in English, lived outside a nursing home, able to walk safely outdoors, were a minimum of six-months post stroke, and had no severe cognitive impairment. Interviews with participants were tape recorded, audio files were transcribed verbatim, codes were created and applied to transcripts, and themes were generated using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Post-stroke experiences in the outdoor environment were multidimensional. Three themes emerged from the stroke survivors' description of personal experiences in the outdoor environment. These themes included feelings of vigilance, employing adaptation strategies, and management of dynamic relations between the self and context. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the post-stroke experience traversing the outdoor environment. Investing in the public outdoor environment to remove barriers and install facilitators could reduce feelings of apprehension and hypervigilance while walking in the outdoor environment. Future research is needed to evaluate the role of environmental interventions on hypervigilance in the outdoor environment post stroke.
Stroke survivors face unique challenges in the outdoor environment when returning to their home community following a stroke. Challenges include navigating uneven terrain, social stigma, and adapting to changes in functioning. Outdoor environments may serve as potential points of intervention to promote independence and participation post stroke. This study aimed to understand lived post-stroke experience in the outdoor environment as it pertains to independent mobility. METHODS: Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 stroke survivors (8 males, 12 females; mean age 64.2 years: range 45 years-90 years). Participants were eligible if they were over the age of 45, could communicate in English, lived outside a nursing home, able to walk safely outdoors, were a minimum of six-months post stroke, and had no severe cognitive impairment. Interviews with participants were tape recorded, audio files were transcribed verbatim, codes were created and applied to transcripts, and themes were generated using interpretative phenomenological analysis. RESULTS: Post-stroke experiences in the outdoor environment were multidimensional. Three themes emerged from the stroke survivors' description of personal experiences in the outdoor environment. These themes included feelings of vigilance, employing adaptation strategies, and management of dynamic relations between the self and context. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the post-stroke experience traversing the outdoor environment. Investing in the public outdoor environment to remove barriers and install facilitators could reduce feelings of apprehension and hypervigilance while walking in the outdoor environment. Future research is needed to evaluate the role of environmental interventions on hypervigilance in the outdoor environment post stroke.
Authors: William A Satariano; Jack M Guralnik; Richard J Jackson; Richard A Marottoli; Elizabeth A Phelan; Thomas R Prohaska Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-06-14 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Margaret T Hicken; Hedwig Lee; Jeffrey Morenoff; James S House; David R Williams Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2013-11-14 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Sarah L Nicholson; Marie Donaghy; Marie Johnston; Falko F Sniehotta; Frederike van Wijck; Derek Johnston; Carolyn Greig; Marion E T McMurdo; Gillian Mead Journal: Disabil Rehabil Date: 2013-12-31 Impact factor: 3.033