"Functional electrical stimulation (FES) impacted on important aspects of my life" - A qualitative exploration of chronic stroke patients' and carers' perceptions of FES in the management of dropped foot.

Our purpose was to explore the impact of functional electrical stimulation (FES), as applied in the management of dropped foot, on patients with chronic stroke and their carers. A qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken. Participants were recruited from the Lothian FES clinic. Data were collected by using semistructured face-to-face interviews and analysed by using the framework of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Thirteen patients and nine carers consented to participate in the study. The overarching theme that emerged from the data was that "FES impacted on important aspects of my life." Four subthemes were identified: 1) "Walking with FES is much better"; 2) "FES helped regain control of life"; 3) "Feeling good comes with using FES"; and 4) "FES is not perfect but it is of value." This study provides insights into the perceptions of patients and carers of the impact of FES. These results have implications for clinicians delivering an FES service for the management of dropped foot after stroke. © Informa Healthcare. USA, Inc

Building research capacity in Education: evidence from recent initiatives in England, Scotland and Wales.

There is a pressing need to build research capacity in Education across the UK to combat the effects of the ageing research population and the increasing polarisation between research-intensive institutions and the remainder of the field. This paper draws data from three evaluations of recent initiatives across the UK to explore the necessary conditions for effectively building research capacity. Technicist and situated learning models are explored in relation to the immediate and longer term professional development of the research workforce, and we identify that central to the effectiveness of this professional learning is: (1) interpersonal support from more experienced colleagues; and (2) institutional support for research engagement, primarily in the provision of time and an infrastructure which can support research activity. We conclude that the development of, and engagement with, inter-institutional, inter-project communities is imperative to this process

Carer experiences of life after stroke - a qualitative analysis

Aims and objectives. Carers' experiences of caring for a stroke survivor were explored, including reactions and changes in their lives. Method. A phenomenological approach was taken to the collection and analysis of data. Semi-structured interviews lasting an average of 43 min were carried out with nine informal carers in their own homes. All were married to someone who had survived a stroke. Results. An overarching theme emerged, entitled: 'lives turned upside-down'. It took time for participants to understand the long-term impacts of stroke. Carers experienced increased caring and domestic workloads alongside reduced participation and altered expectations of life. They found emotional and cognitive changes in their partners particularly distressing, and would have valued more information and help with adjusting to the increased emotional, physical and cognitive workload of caring. Conclusions. It is important to support carers of people who have survived a stroke in adjusting to their changed lifestyles. This may affect their quality of life as well as sustainability of caring, and requires further research

User experiences, preferences and choices relating to functional electrical stimulation and ankle foot orthoses for foot-drop after stroke

Objectives: To explore experiences, preferences and choices relating to the use of ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) for foot-drop by people who have suffered a stroke and their carers, with the aim of informing clinical decision-making. Design: Semi-structured interviews explored individual experiences through a phenomenological approach. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework was used to enable organisation and interpretation of qualitative interview data. Setting: Participants who had used both transcutaneous FES and one of several types of AFO were recruited from a single FES clinic. Participants: Nine people who had suffered a stroke and four carers were recruited purposively, including people between 2 and 9 years post stroke, with different degrees of difficulty in walking. Results: Participants described experiences, preferences and choices relating to AFO and FES use. All but one person expressed a preference for FES use and related this to being able to move the ankle more freely; walk more normally, safely and independently; and greater comfort. Several people also used AFOs when the FES equipment failed, when travelling and near water. One person rationed their use of FES on a daily basis due to allergic reactions. Conclusions: The consensus in this sample demonstrated positive and negative experiences of both FES and AFO use. Participants weighed up the pros and cons, and despite predominant preferences for FES, many also used AFOs due to some drawbacks of FES. Further research and development are required to reduce drawbacks and further explore users' experiences. © 2010 Chartered Society of Physiotherapy