title: Informal stroke rehabilitation: what do Thai caregivers perform?
abstract: Our aim was to explore the informal rehabilitation activities performed by Thai caregivers for stroke survivors at home. Twenty primary informal caregivers were individually interviewed, using semi-structured questions developed by researchers, to investigate the informal rehabilitation activities provided for the stroke survivors at their homes. All interviews were audiotape recorded and some pictures of rehabilitation activities were taken during data collection. The data collected underwent content analysis. Findings revealed three major categories of rehabilitation activities - biological, psychological and social rehabilitation. Biological rehabilitation was the most frequently undertaken by all Thai caregivers. Several methods were used to rehabilitate the stroke survivors in each category, based on the scientific background and cultural beliefs of the caregivers and survivors. In conclusion, informal caregivers always have in mind all activities, thus providing a holistic approach for informal rehabilitation. This plays a very significant role in minimizing residual disabilities, preventing related complications and sustaining the well-being of stroke survivors. Health professionals should motivate caregivers of stroke survivors to maintain informal rehabilitation activity at home. Additionally, health care providers should be concerned about the coordination between institutional and informal rehabilitation in order to better optimize the quality of care provided at home.
authors.affiliation: ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Porto, Portugal. pornchai@buu.ac.th
authors.forename: Pornchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jullamate
authors.forename: Zaida
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: de Azeredo
authors.forename: Constança
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Paúl
authors.forename: Racharneeporn
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Subgranon
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers; D005260:Female; D006701:Home Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012919:Social Behavior; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013785:Thailand