Exploring the Caring Incorporating Yoga Program in Promoting Physical Recovery of Stroke Patients in Acute Phase

Background: Caring science integrating cultural practices has become an important health resource to get positive health outcomes for hospitalized acutely ill patients. Yoga , a cultural practice, has the power to bring multiple physical improvements among chronic stroke patients. The purpose of the study is to analyze the experiences of participants by focusing on their roles and perceptions of the power of caring incorporating yoga to promote physical recovery among stroke patients during the acute phase. Methods: : The study is part of an action research entitled "Development of a Caring Model Incorporating Yoga for Promoting Physical Recovery and Wisdom of People Living with Stroke" conducted in a neurology unit of a university hospital in Nepal. Purposeful sample was used to select participants consisting of 16 nurses, 16 stroke patients and their family caregivers. Data was collected using semi-structured interview guidelines and was continued until data saturation. An inductive content analysis approach was used for data analysis. Results: : Three main themes and nine sub-themes emerged from the qualitative data in terms of experiences of the participants of the program. The three main themes were "caring as a tool to establish trusting relationship in acute phase"; "yoga as a practical and powerful tool for physical recovery from stroke during acute phase"; and "perceived physical recovery as a result of the caring incorporating yoga program". Conclusions: : The findings of the study showed that nurses can successfully facilitate early physical recovery of stroke patients using caring incorporating yoga during acute phase. As yoga is well accepted by Hindu stroke patients due to it being culturally congruent with their sociocultural background, it may be effective for physical recovery and healing of the whole person.