A positive turning point in life--how persons with late effects of polio experience the influence of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme.
OBJECTIVE
To describe and enhance our understanding of how persons with late effects of polio experience the influence of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme.


METHODS
Twelve persons with clinically verified late effects of polio who had participated in an individualized, goal-oriented, comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme.


METHODS
Qualitative research interviews analysed using the constant comparative method of grounded theory.


RESULTS
The rehabilitation programme was experienced as a turning point in the participants' lives. Before rehabilitation they felt they were on a downward slope without control. Rehabilitation was the start of a process of change whereby they acquired new skills, which, over time, contributed to a different but good life. After approximately a year, they had a sense of control and had accepted life with late effects of polio. They had also established new habits, taken on a changed valued self and could look to the future with confidence.


CONCLUSIONS
This qualitative study has shown that persons with late effects of polio can benefit from an individualized, goal-oriented, comprehensive interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme and experience positive changes in their management of daily activities and in their view of their late effects of polio, their future and their self.
Larsson Lund
Maria
M
Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Occupational Therapy , Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. maria.larsson.lund@occupther.umu.se
Lexell
Jan
J
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019468:Disease Management; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome