Body Awareness, Self-Identity, And Perception of Exercise Importance After Stroke Rehabilitation

A stroke is a serious life-threatening medical condition that happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Although stroke presentation rate is decreasing, it still continues to be one of the main cause of mortality and morbidity in Portugal, its prevalence remains high. Stroke consequences, in most of the cases, results in some degree of dependence with direct implications for the daily life of the stroke survivor who goes through a long process of adaptation and acceptance of their new reality. The purpose of this study was to understand stroke survivor ́s self-perceptions regarding their body awareness, body image, self-identity, and the perception of exercise importance after the rehabilitation discharge. Methods We conducted 15 semi-structured interviews, via zoom platform, with stroke survivors from both sexes, aged between 20 and 52 years old which were integrated on the group “Grupo de Ajuda Mútua” from the national organization “Portugal AVC”. Due to the national dimension of this organization, study participants were distributed all over the continental territory of Portugal, from north to south (including the districts of Viseu, Guarda, Lisboa, Faro, Porto e Aveiro). The data analysis was conducted using the Nvivo software. Results Stroke survivor ́s self-perceptions of their body and their Self change, independently of the motor sequelae. The way the survivor sees himself in the first phase after the stroke, causes a change in the perception of his own body, leading to the emergence of issues related to his own identity and a reduction in self-esteem. Discussion Stroke survivor ́s self-perceptions about their body and their Self changes, independently of the motor sequelae. The way the survivor sees him/herself in the first phase after the stroke, causes a change in the perception of his/her own body, leading to the emergence of issues related to his/her own identity and a reduction in self-esteem. All these issues tend to dissipate as there is an understanding and gradual acceptance of the stroke. The way society sees the stroke survivor also negatively influences the survivor's self-perceptions. Exercise may have a relevant impact on such perceptions and on the way survivors perceive themselves after stroke. Conclusions The perception of the importance of physical exercise after stroke rehabilitation is unanimous among survivors, but there is an overlapping between physical exercise and therapeutic exercises, in most survivors, which still demonstrate some lack of confidence in sports professionals, suggesting the need for specific physical exercise programs for stroke survivors