TY  - JOUR
AU  - Bolster, Ruby A.
AU  - Van Puymbroeck, Marieke
AU  - Schmid, Arlene A.
AU  - Hinsey, Katie M.
AU  - Atler, Karen E.
AU  - Fruhauf, Christine A.
PY  - 2018
DA  - 2018/06/11
TI  - A Multi-modal Intervention after Stroke: The Caregiver Experience
JO  - OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine
SP  - 010
VL  - 03
IS  - 02
AB  - Background: A fall prevention intervention was delivered to people with chronic stroke (Merged Yoga and Occupational Therapy intervention-MY-OT). All caregivers were invited to also attend the 8-week intervention and were included in these analyses. Methods: The aim of this study was to examine changes in caregiver burden, positive aspects of caring, and caregiver's experiences after participating in the MY-OT intervention. This was a secondary data analyses and the purpose of this mixed-methods study was to quantitatively assess changes in caregiver burden (Zarit Burden Interview) and positive aspects of caregiving (Positive Aspects of Caregiving scale) and qualitatively explore the experience of the caregivers who attended the intervention. Focus groups and individual interviews with the caregivers were completed, transcribed, and reviewed. Qualitative data were analysed to identify emergent themes that described the caregiver experience. Results: The average age of nine caregivers was 64.86 years old and most caregivers were female (66%). Caregivers who attended the MY-OT intervention (n=6) demonstrated less caregiver burden (47% decrease) and more positive aspects of caregiving (26% increase) than those who did not attend (n=3). Four qualitative themes emerged and included: positive changes in daily life; being in the present; new learning pportunities for the dyad and individual; and building a sense of community. Conclusions: In this small sample of caregivers, yoga and occupational therapy appeared helpful in reducing caregiver burden, increasing positive aspects of caregiving, and contributing to positive experiences over all. Future research studies should be developed to include the caregiver and address the caregiver dyad.
SN  - 2573-4393
UR  - https://doi.org/10.21926/obm.icm.1802010
DO  - 10.21926/obm.icm.1802010
ID  - Bolster2018
ER  -