“I can manage the challenge” – a qualitative study describing experiences of living with balance limitations after first-ever stroke

Abstract

Purpose: To describe experiences of living with balance limitations after first-ever stroke. Materials and methods: This study has a qualitative design, comprising interviews with 19 persons with first-ever stroke, ten women and nine men. Their mean age was 77 years and the mean time since stroke was 15 months. Stroke survivors who were able to walk outdoors with or without a walking aid and who were independent in toileting and dressing were invited to participate. Semi-structured individual interviews were performed. An inductive qualitative content analysis of the manifest and latent content was conducted. Results: The results are presented in two themes illustrating the latent content of the data, “Feeling dizzy and unstable is a continuous challenge” and “Feeling confidence despite dizziness and unsteadiness”, and seven categories illustrating the manifest content: Limitations in daily life; Being emotionally affected; The need for physical support; Everything takes time; I can still manage; Feelings of acceptance; and Finding individual solutions. Conclusions: All participants experienced the balance limitations as a continuous challenge in their everyday life, yet they also felt confidence. They had to some degree adapted their activities and were able to manage their daily life.

Keywords

• balance experience
• stroke
• postural stability
• qualitative study
• recovery