A fight on your own – experiences of rehabilitation after traumatic brachial plexus injuries
Creators: name: Evertsson, Linda
name: Millkvist, Helena
name: Sjerén, Stina
name: Rosenberg, Lena
name: Nilsson, Ingeborg
Publisher: name: Taylor & Francis
Year: 2025
Subjects: subject: Medicine
subject: Biotechnology
subject: Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Ecology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences
subject: Biological Sciences not elsewhere classified
subject: Science Policy
subject: Mental Health

description: Individuals with traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPI) may experience lifelong physical and psychosocial consequences. With or without surgical treatment, the rehabilitation is considered important. Physiotherapists and occupational therapists face challenges due to the scarcity of evidence-based rehabilitation protocols after TBPI. There is limited knowledge about patients’ experiences with rehabilitation. This study aims to explore and describe patients’ experiences of rehabilitation after a TBPI. Transcripts from five focus groups with 21 participants after TBPI and rehabilitation were coded and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. The discussion guide contained questions regarding experience of rehabilitation. The analysis revealed one overarching theme: “A fight on your own”, and three themes that include 1) Lack of tailored rehabilitation in a life-changing situation, 2) Crucial prerequisites for engagement in rehabilitation, and 3) Life will never be the same. The results highlighted the importance of healthcare professionals engaging with patients and advocates for comprehensive, person-centred rehabilitation programs across healthcare levels. Furthermore, participants value peer interaction, psychosocial support and up-to-date technology. Patients struggle to access person-centred rehabilitation from engaged and knowledgeable occupational and physiotherapists. Addressing both psychosocial and physical aspects and daily activities is crucial. Rehabilitation requires an interdisciplinary team with a person-centred approach, addressing both physical and psychosocial needs.Access to specialised rehabilitation is of great importance, due to considerable variations of needs; rehabilitation guidelines should be established and incorporated in specialised and local healthcare.Rehabilitation spans a long period, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to collaborate with diverse experts to tailor interventions.Successful rehabilitation changes the perspective from difficulties to strengths and recognises the importance of knowledge and engagement of both the patient and the healthcare professionals. Rehabilitation requires an interdisciplinary team with a person-centred approach, addressing both physical and psychosocial needs. Access to specialised rehabilitation is of great importance, due to considerable variations of needs; rehabilitation guidelines should be established and incorporated in specialised and local healthcare. Rehabilitation spans a long period, highlighting the need for healthcare professionals to collaborate with diverse experts to tailor interventions. Successful rehabilitation changes the perspective from difficulties to strengths and recognises the importance of knowledge and engagement of both the patient and the healthcare professionals.