Background 

Most tai chi studies conducted among stroke survivors have focused on physical functioning, whereas inclusion of stroke survivors' feelings and perceptions of participating in tai chi is lacking.

Objective 

The aim of this study was to identify stroke survivors' feelings and perceptions of participating in a tai chi intervention during their poststroke recovery.

Methods 

This qualitative descriptive study examined stories from community-dwelling stroke survivors, collected as part of a larger randomized clinical trial. To examine these stories, an inductive content analysis approach was used with a priori theoretical codes (and subcodes): (1) Feelings (confidence, enjoy, hopeful, helpful, other) and (2) Perceptions of Impact (physical abilities, mental/cognitive abilities, challenges, other). Lincoln and Guba's criteria were followed to ensure trustworthiness of the study findings.

Results 

Participants (n = 17) were on average 71 years old (range, 54–87 years), mainly men (65%), and had the option of writing their own story or having someone write it for them. Stories from these stroke survivors revealed feelings of confidence (n = 4), enjoyment (n = 7), hope (n = 1), and helpfulness (n = 15). Perceptions of the impact of tai chi on their poststroke recovery process identified improved physical abilities (n = 23), better mental/cognitive abilities (n = 12), moving forward (n = 7), and developing friendships (n = 4), with few challenges (n = 1).

Conclusions 

Using storytelling, healthcare providers can discuss the benefits of tai chi and then relate the feelings and perceptions of other stroke survivors' experiences to encourage engagement in regular physical activity to aid in the poststroke recovery process.

中文翻译：

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中风幸存者对太极运动干预后康复的感受和看法：一项定性描述性研究。

背景 

大多数在中风幸存者中进行的太极拳研究都集中在身体机能上，而缺乏对中风幸存者的感受和参与太极拳的看法。

客观的 

本研究的目的是确定中风幸存者在中风后康复期间参与太极拳干预的感受和看法。

方法 

这项定性描述性研究检查了社区中风幸存者的故事，这些故事是作为一项更大的随机临床试验的一部分收集的。为了检查这些故事，将归纳内容分析方法与先验的理论代码（和子代码）一起使用：（1）感觉（自信、享受、充满希望、乐于助人、其他）和（2）影响感知（身体能力、心理/认知能力、挑战等）。遵循林肯和古巴的标准以确保研究结果的可信度。

结果 

参与者 (n = 17) 平均年龄为 71 岁（范围为 54-87 岁），主要是男性（65%），并且可以选择写自己的故事或让别人为他们写故事。这些中风幸存者的故事揭示了自信 (n = 4)、享受 (n = 7)、希望 (n = 1) 和乐于助人 (n = 15) 的感觉。对太极拳对中风后恢复过程影响的看法确定了改善的身体能力 (n = 23)、更好的心理/认知能力 (n = 12)、前进 (n = 7) 和发展友谊 (n = 4)，几乎没有挑战（n = 1）。

结论 

通过讲故事，医疗保健提供者可以讨论太极拳的好处，然后将其他中风幸存者的感受和看法联系起来，以鼓励参与定期体育活动，以帮助中风后康复过程。