Reflections of patients and therapists on a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme for persons with brachial plexus injuries

AbstractPurpose: There is lack of knowledge, evidence, and guidelines for rehabilitation interventions for persons with neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) or brachial plexus pathology. A first pilot study, evaluating the effect of an integrated rehabilitation programme, showed improvements in activity and participation levels.Aim: To gain insight, from the perspective of patients and therapists, into the critical ingredients of the programme, that contributed to improvements in activity and participation.Materials and methods: A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with eight patients and five therapists (three occupational therapists and two physical therapists). Participants were asked to identify and describe factors regarding the rehabilitation that they perceived as positive and aspects of the programme that could be improved. Data were analysed using a constant comparative approach.Results: Patients reported (1) Time to diagnose: “Finally I’m in the right place;” (2) Awareness: “They gave me a ...