A qualitative study exploring patients', with mild to moderate stroke, and their carers' perceptions of healthy lifestyles

Background/Aims: To explore patients', with mild to moderate stroke, and their carers' experiences after a stroke and to explore their perceptions of healthy lifestyles. Methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was undertaken with 20 people (12 males and 8 females) with mild to moderate stroke or transient ischaemic attack (1 week to 6 months' post event) and seven of their carers. Each interview was transcribed and a thematic analysis approach guided the analytic process. Results: Patients with sub-acute, mild to moderate stroke were positive about healthy lifestyles and their ability to achieve them post stroke. Three core themes were identified: perceptions related to exercise; perceptions related to other lifestyle factors; and understanding of stroke and healthy lifestyles. Conclusions: In the sub-acute phase of stroke recovery, barriers to exercise such as lack of motivation do not appear to be an issue. People with stroke have a lack of understanding of healthy guidelines, risk factors and cause of their stroke. It is not clear if this is due to a lack of information provision or a lack of recall. They also do not appear to make the link between lifestyle choices and the cause of their stroke.