Introduction: While mind-body therapies may be beneficial for stroke survivors with pain, physiotherapists who consult people with post-stroke pain often report barriers to mind-body therapy provision, including consumers lacking interest/engagement and their perceptions about the role of physiotherapists. We aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of stroke survivors with pain regarding mind-body therapies and physiotherapists using such therapies.
Methods: Fifteen Australian stroke survivors with pain (11 women, 4 men, aged 28-84 years, and five months to 24 years post-stroke), participated in qualitative semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results: Five themes described participants’ perceptions and experiences of mind-body therapies and physiotherapists’ use of these therapies. Theme 1 detailed consumers’ openness to mind-body therapies, with suggestions for individualising use and providing therapies within existing rehabilitation. Theme 2 described perceptions that physiotherapists offering mind-body therapies is beneficial yet currently low, with considerations such as physiotherapist training and scope of practice. Theme 3 collated perceptions of general benefits of mind-body therapies, while Themes 4 and 5 summarised perceived benefits for pain and biopsychosocial wellbeing.
Conclusion: People with pain post-stroke are open to using mind-body therapies tailored to their individual needs, stage of recovery and preferences, including tailoring the format/mode of delivery. Physiotherapists providing mind-body therapies may positively influence consumer participation and add credibility. While it may be helpful for physiotherapists to provide mind-body therapies for people with pain after stroke, training and scope of practice need more exploration. Further research in these areas is warranted, given the reported benefits for managing pain and assisting biopsychosocial wellbeing.
Relevance to clinical practice or patient experience: People with pain after stroke are interested in mind-body therapies and would like access to appropriate/individualised options during rehabilitation, including the provision by physiotherapists. Education/training and scope of practice for physiotherapists need further examination.