title: Art after stroke: the qualitative experience of community dwelling stroke survivors in a group art programme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to qualitatively explore the experience of community dwelling stroke survivors' participation in an arts health group programme and possible health benefits to quality of life (QOL) and wellbeing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen participants were conveniently sampled to participate in two group art programmes, both held weekly over a period of 8 weeks. Qualitative data were collected through two focus groups (n = 9) and individual interviews (n = 11). Qualitative analysis of the data was undertaken, using a grounded theory approach incorporating constant comparison.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age ranged from 43 to 81 years. Four themes emerged including: experience of stroke, benefit of art, benefit for self and benefit of group experience. Participants experienced improved confidence, self-efficacy, QOL and community participation through involvement in an arts health programme.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The implementation of an arts health programme after stroke made a substantial impact on well-being and QOL. Results from this study are promising and this is a model that warrants rigorous investigation regarding the impact of art on QOL and wellbeing. This study also highlighted the need for community resources to address community re-integration and service provision in the form of age appropriate, activity-based groups for stroke survivors.
authors.affiliation: Occupational Therapy Department, Tamworth Rural Referral Hosptial, Hunter New England Local Health Network, NSW, Australia.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beesley
authors.forename: Jennifer Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Megan K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Alston
authors.forename: Anne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Sweetapple
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pollack
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001155:Art Therapy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012944:Social Support; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology