Musculoskeletal Care. 2026 Sep;24(3):e70254. doi: 10.1002/msc.70254.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) multi-dimensionally affects the rehabilitation process of stroke survivors. Although previous literature has explored post-stroke functional recovery, empirical qualitative investigations into the authentic rehabilitation experiences and deep care needs of this specific population during hospitalisation remain to be further elucidated.
OBJECTIVE: Guided by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework, this study aimed to explore the rehabilitation experiences and multidimensional needs of hospitalised stroke patients with HSP, with a view to informing the development of comprehensive, evidence-based clinical rehabilitation support pathways.
METHODS: A descriptive phenomenological qualitative research approach was employed. Purposive sampling was used to select 12 stroke inpatients with HSP for semi-structured in-depth interviews to systematically investigate their lived experiences and care demands during the rehabilitation cycle. The interview data were analyzed and thematic structures were extracted using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological analysis method.
RESULTS: The qualitative analysis revealed that HSP exerted multi-dimensional negative impacts on stroke patients, including physical function limitations, a lack of rehabilitation knowledge, negative emotional distress, restricted social participation, and heavy economic pressure. Consequently, four core domains of rehabilitation needs during hospitalisation were identified: symptom management and psychological support, rehabilitation training and functional reshaping support, comprehensive environmental and social resource support, and patient-oriented health empowerment.
CONCLUSION: Confirming the bio-psycho-social model of chronic pain, this study highlights that the negative consequences of HSP extend far beyond physical motor restrictions. To address these urgent needs, it is imperative to establish a patient-centred, nurse-coordinated multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaborative intervention model, in which targeted health empowerment and multidisciplinary symptom management serve as critical entry points to break the rehabilitation deadlock during hospitalisation.
PMID:42618962 | DOI:10.1002/msc.70254