Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Physiotherapy for vegetative and minimally conscious state patients: family perceptions and experiences

Latchem, Julie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6738-916X, Kitzinger, Jenny ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2593-8033 and Kitzinger, Celia 2016. Physiotherapy for vegetative and minimally conscious state patients: family perceptions and experiences. Disability & Rehabilitation 38 (1) , pp. 22-29. 10.3109/09638288.2015.1005759

[thumbnail of Latchem et al. 2015.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (207kB) | Preview

Abstract

Purpose: To examine family perceptions of physiotherapy provided to relatives in vegetative or minimally conscious states. Method: Secondary thematic analysis of 65 in-depth narrative interviews with family members of people in vegetative or minimally conscious states. Results: Families place great significance on physiotherapy in relation to six dimensions: “Caring for the person”, “Maximising comfort”, “Helping maintain health/life”, “Facilitating progress”, “Identifying or stimulating consciousness” and “Indicating potential for meaningful recovery”. They can have high expectations of what physiotherapy may deliver but also, at times, express concerns about physiotherapy’s potential to cause pain or distress, or even constitute a form of torture if they believe there is no hope for “meaningful” recovery. Conclusion: Physiotherapists can make an important contribution to supporting this patient group and their families but it is vital to recognise that family understandings of physiotherapy may differ significantly from those of physiotherapists. Both the delivery and the withdrawal of physiotherapy is highly symbolic and can convey (inadvertent) messages to people about their relative’s current and future state. A genuine two-way dialogue between practitioners and families about the aims of physiotherapeutic interventions, potential outcomes and patients’ best interests is critical to providing a good service and establishing positive relationships and appropriate treatment.Implications for Rehabilitation Families of people in PVS or MCS consider physiotherapy as a vital part of good care. Clear communication is critical if therapeutic input is withdrawn or reduced. The purpose of physiotherapy interventions can be misinterpreted by family members. Physiotherapists need to clarify what physiotherapy can, and cannot, achieve. Families can find some interventions distressing to witness – explaining to families what interventions involve, what they can expect to see (and hear) may be helpful. Physiotherapists and families can attribute different meanings to physiotherapy. Physiotherapists need to identify how families view interventions and modify their explanations accordingly to enhance information sharing.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Journalism, Media and Culture
Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects: R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords: Disorders of consciousness, family, physiotherapy, vegetative
Publisher: Informa Healthcare
ISSN: 0963-8288
Funders: ESRC
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 March 2016
Date of Acceptance: 6 January 2015
Last Modified: 06 May 2023 03:13
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/72758

Citation Data

Cited 9 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics