The Relationship between Motivation for Rehabilitation and Sense of Agency in Patients with Cerebrovascular Disease, and Nurse Support for Patient Agency

Abstract

For patients who have suffered a stroke and are undergoing rehabilitation, the motivation for recovery and achievement of independence is a major factor that must be considered for effective treatment. A patient’s sense of agency affects their motivation for activities, such as rehabilitation. This study was conducted to investigate the motivation and sense of agency of patients with cerebrovascular disease who were undergoing rehabilitation and to examine the influence of nursing involvement on improving patient independence. This study of inpatients in a rehabilitation hospital ward was conducted using questionnaires. Our results suggest that sense of agency may affect patient motivation during hospitalization and was influenced by nursing support for independence. Interventions targeted to improve the patient’s sense of agency were shown to be a potentially effective method for improving the patient’s rehabilitative motivation. Nursing support for independence provides a promising effective strategy for improving the patient’s sense of agency.