The impact of face masks on stroke survivors, version 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Masking care: a qualitative investigation of the impact of face masks on a stroke rehabilitation unit from the perspective of staff and service users with communication difficulties
IRAS ID
292308
Contact name
Philippa Clay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Summary of Research
English government guidance since June 2020 is for all hospital staff to wear face masks in all areas of the hospital. Whilst face mask use fulfils the essential primary objective of reducing the risk of droplet and airborne transmission of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) amongst at-risk health care workers and a vulnerable patient population, there are significant impacts of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on communication and therapeutic care which must be taken into account. The potential of face masks to distort the speech signal and alter non-verbal communication is likely to have a significant impact on those with communication difficulties post-stroke. This study aims to explore the impact of face masks on rehabilitation for stroke survivors with communication difficulties, and to identify strategies that will support positive interaction and maximise rehabilitation outcomes when staff are wearing face masks.
The study will be conducted at the local stroke rehabilitation unit. Staff on the stroke unit, with experience of providing rehabilitation to stroke survivors with communication difficulties whilst wearing a face mask, will be invited to attend a focus group. Interviews will be carried out between the researcher and stroke survivors with communication difficulties. Stroke survivors with a diagnosis of a communication difficulty resulting from stroke will be invited to attend 1:1 interviews with the researcher. Thematic analysis will be used to qualitatively analyse the data, and identify potential strategies to maximise rehabilitation outcomes when staff with face masks are carrying out therapy with people with communication difficulties post-stroke.Summary of Results
Outcomes & results: Four main interacting themes were identified from the data: 1) face masks can act as a barrier to effective communication, which is an integral part of therapy; 2) face masks can act as a barrier to human connection and building of therapeutic relationships; 3) the extent to which face masks impact on an individual is influenced by multiple internal and external factors; 4) there is a need for service provision to evolve to meet people with communication difficulties’ needs when face masks are in use.
Conclusions & Implications: Findings shed light on how face masks can act as a barrier for people with communication difficulites within the rehabilitative process, and highlight the fact that each individual with communication difficulties is likely to be affected to a differing extent, as a result of multiple interacting factors. The author has listed some possible compensatory strategies which might be used to improve the rehabilitation experience for some people with communication difficulites post-stroke. Health professionals are encouraged to consider the individual holistically, tailor strategies to each individual and adapt to meet their needs. Further research is required to understand how to optimise rehabilitation outcomes when face masks are in use.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/NW/0107
Date of REC Opinion
26 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion