"Wasting time": a qualitative study of stroke survivors' experiences of boredom in non-therapy time during inpatient rehabilitation

Katrina Kenah; Meredith Tavener; Julie Bernhardt; Neil J Spratt; Heidi Janssen

doi:10.1080/09638288.2023.2230131

"Wasting time": a qualitative study of stroke survivors' experiences of boredom in non-therapy time during inpatient rehabilitation

Disabil Rehabil. 2023 Jul 6:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2230131. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Katrina Kenah^{1

2}, Meredith Tavener³, Julie Bernhardt⁴, Neil J Spratt^{5

6

7}, Heidi Janssen^{1

5

8}

Affiliations

¹ School of Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
² Monash Health, Cheltenham, VIC, Australia.
³ School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁴ NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.
⁵ NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Recovery, Hunter Medical Research Institute, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁶ Dept Neurology, John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁷ School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
⁸ Hunter Stroke Service, Hunter New England Local Health District, Newcastle, NSW, Australia.

PMID: 37409578
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2023.2230131

Abstract

Purpose: Stroke survivors regularly report experiencing boredom during inpatient rehabilitation which may detrimentally affect mood, learning and engagement in activities important for functional recovery. This study explores how stroke survivors meaningfully occupy their non-therapy time and their experiences of boredom, to further our understanding of this complex phenomenon.

Methods: Secondary analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors exploring activity during non-therapy time. Transcripts were coded and analysed using a hybrid approach of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, guided by a published boredom framework.

Results: Analysis of 58 interviews of 36 males and 22 females, median age 70 years, revealed four main themes: (i) Resting during non-therapy time is valued, (ii) Managing "wasted" time, (iii) Meaningful environments support autonomy and restore a sense of normality, and (iv) Wired to be social. Whilst limited therapy, social opportunities and having "nothing to do" were common experiences, those individuals who felt in control and responsible for driving their own stroke recovery tended to report less boredom during their rehabilitation stay.

Conclusion: Creating rehabilitation environments that support autonomy, socialisation and opportunities to participate in activity are clear targets to reduce boredom during non-therapy time, increase meaningful engagement and possibly improve rehabilitation outcomes post-stroke.

Keywords: Boredom; autonomy; engagement; healthcare environments; rehabilitation; stroke.

Plain language summary

Stroke survivors with a low sense of autonomy are at greater risk of boredom and may benefit from person-centred strategies to support participation in meaningful activities during non-therapy time whilst undertaking inpatient rehabilitation.Review and reduction of paternalistic practices within traditional models of care, to increase patient autonomy, may empower stroke survivors to drive their own activity and reduce boredom.The redesign and reorganisation of rehabilitation environments to increase opportunities for socialisation and access to nature and the outdoors may reduce boredom during inpatient rehabilitation.