Exploring people with stroke’s perceptions of digital technologies in post-stroke rehabilitation – a qualitative study

Stroke survivors often report unmet rehabilitation needs. Digital care has become increasingly prevalent, but limited research has explored its role in stroke rehabilitation, particularly from perspectives of people with chronic stroke. This study aims to explore how people with stroke perceive the usage of digital technologies in post-stroke rehabilitation. A qualitative study was conducted from June 2022 to January 2023, encompassing semi-structured interviews with 17 stroke participants recruited from a Norwegian rehabilitation hospital. Reflexive thematic analysis was applied. Two themes were generated 1) “Still digitally connected” Digitalisation and its impact on everyday life and rehabilitation services, and 2) “To bring people closer” The need for personal contact and responsibility in digital rehabilitation services. Participants continued using digital technologies in rehabilitation and recognised digital self-management tools as beneficial for exercising and gaining information in the stroke process. They used various technologies to stay connected to the rehabilitation network, such as video-consultations, apps and exergaming. This study highlights the importance of digital tools in managing the individuals’ rehabilitation post-stroke. Digital technologies have the potential to deliver an interactive and person-centred rehabilitation service between healthcare professionals and people with stroke, but evaluation of technology use challenges after stroke is emphasised. People who have experienced a stroke often undergo an extensive rehabilitation process, and for some, using digital technologies can enhance the convenience of their rehabilitation and strengthen self-management during this process.The use of digital technologies can provide continued connection to their rehabilitation network, facilitate knowledge sharing and feedback, and document their rehabilitation progress.Insights from this study can be used in development of digital rehabilitation services, where a person-centred approach to needs and technology skills is essential. People who have experienced a stroke often undergo an extensive rehabilitation process, and for some, using digital technologies can enhance the convenience of their rehabilitation and strengthen self-management during this process. The use of digital technologies can provide continued connection to their rehabilitation network, facilitate knowledge sharing and feedback, and document their rehabilitation progress. Insights from this study can be used in development of digital rehabilitation services, where a person-centred approach to needs and technology skills is essential.

脑卒中幸存者常表示其康复需求未得到充分满足。数字照护（digital care）日益普及，但现有研究对其在脑卒中康复中的作用探索不足，尤其是从慢性脑卒中患者视角展开的研究更为匮乏。本研究旨在探究脑卒中患者对卒中后康复中数字技术应用的认知情况。本研究于2022年6月至2023年1月开展，采用质性研究（qualitative study）设计，对从挪威某康复医院招募的17名脑卒中参与者进行半结构化访谈（semi-structured interviews），并运用反思性主题分析法（reflexive thematic analysis）进行分析。本研究归纳出两大主题：其一为「依旧保持数字联结」——数字化及其对日常生活与康复服务的影响；其二为「拉近人际距离」——数字康复服务中人际互动与责任担当的必要性。参与者在康复过程中仍持续使用数字技术，并认可数字自我管理工具有助于脑卒中康复期间的锻炼与信息获取。他们借助视频会诊、应用程序以及健身游戏（exergaming）等各类技术，与康复服务网络保持联结。本研究凸显了数字工具在脑卒中患者个体康复管理中的重要价值。数字技术具备在医疗专业人员与脑卒中患者之间提供交互式、以患者为中心（person-centred）的康复服务的潜力，但仍需强化脑卒中后技术使用相关挑战的评估工作。脑卒中患者通常需要经历漫长的康复历程，对部分患者而言，使用数字技术可提升康复过程的便捷性，并强化其自我管理能力。数字技术的应用可帮助患者持续与康复服务网络保持联结，促进知识共享与反馈，并记录康复进展。本研究的结论可用于数字康复服务的开发工作，其中以患者为中心的需求与技术能力适配路径至关重要。脑卒中患者通常需要经历漫长的康复历程，对部分患者而言，使用数字技术可提升康复过程的便捷性，并强化其自我管理能力。数字技术的应用可帮助患者持续与康复服务网络保持联结，促进知识共享与反馈，并记录康复进展。本研究的结论可用于数字康复服务的开发工作，其中以患者为中心的需求与技术能力适配路径至关重要。