First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases

Background: Dysphagia has profound effects on individuals, and living with dysphagia is a complex phenomenon that touches essential areas of life. Dysphagia following a brainstem stroke is often more severe and the chances of spontaneous recovery are less likely as compared with dysphagia following...

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Main Authors: Annette Kjaersgaard, Hanne Pallesen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
Series:Geriatrics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/5/1/15
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spelling doaj-ea6a32261de041abb626dab3e32968ac2020-11-25T02:15:07ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172020-03-01511510.3390/geriatrics5010015geriatrics5010015First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative CasesAnnette Kjaersgaard0Hanne Pallesen1Hammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Aarhus University, 8450 Hammel, DenmarkHammel Neurorehabilitation Centre and University Research Clinic, Aarhus University, 8450 Hammel, DenmarkBackground: Dysphagia has profound effects on individuals, and living with dysphagia is a complex phenomenon that touches essential areas of life. Dysphagia following a brainstem stroke is often more severe and the chances of spontaneous recovery are less likely as compared with dysphagia following a hemispheric stroke. Objective: To explore how two individuals with brainstem stroke experienced severe dysphagia during their inpatient neurorehabilitation and how they experienced their recovery approximately one month following discharge. Methods: An explorative study was conducted to evaluate the first-hand perspective on severe eating difficulties. A qualitative case study was chosen to collect data during two face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Phenomenological perspectives shaped the interview-process and the processing of data. Results: Analysis of the empirical data generated the following main themes regarding experiences of: (i) the mouth and throat; (ii) shared dining; and (iii) recovery and regression related to swallowing-eating-drinking. Conclusion: Participants expressed altered sensations of the mouth and throat, which affected their oral intake and social participation in meals. Good support for managing and adapting their problems of swallowing, eating, and drinking in daily activities is essential. Knowledge and skills of professionals in relation to dysphagia is a significant requirement for recovery progress in settings within the municipality.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/5/1/15dysphagiarehabilitationneurologyqualitative interviewphenomenological design
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Annette Kjaersgaard
Hanne Pallesen
spellingShingle Annette Kjaersgaard
Hanne Pallesen
First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
Geriatrics
dysphagia
rehabilitation
neurology
qualitative interview
phenomenological design
author_facet Annette Kjaersgaard
Hanne Pallesen
author_sort Annette Kjaersgaard
title First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
title_short First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
title_full First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
title_fullStr First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
title_full_unstemmed First-Hand Experience of Severe Dysphagia Following Brainstem Stroke: Two Qualitative Cases
title_sort first-hand experience of severe dysphagia following brainstem stroke: two qualitative cases
publisher MDPI AG
series Geriatrics
issn 2308-3417
publishDate 2020-03-01
description Background: Dysphagia has profound effects on individuals, and living with dysphagia is a complex phenomenon that touches essential areas of life. Dysphagia following a brainstem stroke is often more severe and the chances of spontaneous recovery are less likely as compared with dysphagia following a hemispheric stroke. Objective: To explore how two individuals with brainstem stroke experienced severe dysphagia during their inpatient neurorehabilitation and how they experienced their recovery approximately one month following discharge. Methods: An explorative study was conducted to evaluate the first-hand perspective on severe eating difficulties. A qualitative case study was chosen to collect data during two face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Phenomenological perspectives shaped the interview-process and the processing of data. Results: Analysis of the empirical data generated the following main themes regarding experiences of: (i) the mouth and throat; (ii) shared dining; and (iii) recovery and regression related to swallowing-eating-drinking. Conclusion: Participants expressed altered sensations of the mouth and throat, which affected their oral intake and social participation in meals. Good support for managing and adapting their problems of swallowing, eating, and drinking in daily activities is essential. Knowledge and skills of professionals in relation to dysphagia is a significant requirement for recovery progress in settings within the municipality.
topic dysphagia
rehabilitation
neurology
qualitative interview
phenomenological design
url https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/5/1/15
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