Exploring the Caring Incorporating Yoga Program in Promoting Physical Recovery of Stroke Patients in Acute Phase

Abstract

Background: Currently, caring science integrating cultural practices has become an important health resource to get positive health outcomes for hospitalized acutely ill patients. Yoga, a cultural practice, has the power to bring multiple physical improvements among chronic stroke patients. The purpose of the study is to analyze the experiences of participants focusing on their roles and perceptions of the power of caring incorporating yoga to promote physical recovery among stroke patients during the acute phase. Methods: The study is a part of action research entitled "Development of a Caring Model Incorporating Yoga for Promoting Physical Recovery and Wisdom of People Living with Stroke". Purposeful sample was used to select the participants of 16 nurses, 16 stroke patients and their family caregivers. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews guideline and continues until data saturation in a neurology unit of a university hospital, Nepal. An inductive content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: Three main themes and 9 sub-themes were emerged from the qualitative data in terms of experiences of the participants on the program. The three main theme included "caring as a tool to develop trusting relationship"; "yoga as a practical and powerful tool for physical recovery of stroke patients during acute phase"; and "perceived physical recovery as a result of the caring incorporating yoga intervention". Conclusions: The finding of the study shown that that nurses can successfully facilitate early physical recovery of stroke patients using caring incorporating yoga during their acute phase. As yoga is well accepted by Hindu stroke patients due to it being culturally congruent with their sociocultural background, it may be effective for physical recovery and healing of the whole person.