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Understanding spasticity from patients’ perspectives over time
Author(s) -
Bhimani Rozina H.,
McAlpine Cynthia Peden,
Henly Susan J.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
journal of advanced nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.948
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1365-2648
pISSN - 0309-2402
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2012.05949.x
Subject(s) - spasticity , muscle tone , rehabilitation , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , psychology , stressor , qualitative research , physical therapy , perception , clinical psychology , sociology , social science , neuroscience
bhimani r.h., mc alpine c.p. & henly s.j. ( 2012 ) Understanding spasticity from patients’ perspectives over time. Journal of Advanced Nursing 68 (11), 2504–2514. Abstract Aim. The purpose of this paper was to report patients’ understanding and perceptions of personal spasticity experiences over time. Background. Spasticity is an unpleasant and poorly understood experience associated with upper motor neuron disease. Design. An original qualitative study was conducted in 2008–2009. Method. Content analysis was used to extract meaning from the responses of 23 patients to semi‐structured interviews during 7 days of acute rehabilitation for neurological diseases associated with spasticity. Findings. Patients used words reflecting muscle tone and spasms to describe spasticity. Themes reflecting the spasticity experience over time were Ambiguous Experiences, Navigating Symptom Experience, Wounded Self, and Unending Journey. Conclusion. Spasticity as experienced is complex, involving a wide range of unusual sensations sensitive to stressors in everyday life. Clinical evaluation of spasticity should include patient reports. Knowledge about patient word choice used to describe spasticity can enhance communication with healthcare providers.