LAUSR

Abstract Purpose To understand how the experience of Music Upper Limb Therapy – Integrated (MULT-I) interconnects with the experience of stroke. Methods Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews and video-recorded MULT-I sessions from a larger mixed-methods study. Thirty adults with post-stroke hemiparesis completed pre-intervention interviews, of whom fifteen participated in MULT-I. Thirteen of the participants in MULT-I completed post-intervention interviews. Results The experience of stroke was characterized by five themes: (1) sudden loss of functional abilities, (2) disrupted participation, (3) desire for independence, (4) emotional distress and the need for support, and (5) difficulty negotiating changes in sense of self. The experience of MULT-I was characterized by three themes: (1) MULT-I activated movement and empowered personal choice, (2) MULT-I created a safe place to process emotional distress and take on challenges, and (3) MULT-I fostered a sense of belonging and a positive transformation in sense of self. These themes combined create a framework which illustrates the process by which MULT-I addressed each challenge described by survivors of stroke, facilitating a positive transformation in sense of self. Conclusion MULT-I promotes physical, emotional, and social wellbeing following a stroke. This integrated approach supports a positive transformation in sense of self. These findings have implications for improving psychosocial well-being post stroke. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION The experience of stroke is characterized by disruptions in physical, emotional, and social well-being Survivors of stroke describe difficulty obtaining support for emotional distress and experience negative perceptions of their sense of self MULT-I addresses functional needs post stroke through motivating physical movement and participation, while also supporting autonomy and providing psychosocial support that facilitates a positive transformation in sense of self