Engagement is increasingly recognised as important for maximising rehabilitation outcome following stroke. However, engagement can be challenging when neurological impairment impacts a persons’ ability to activate the regulatory processes necessary for engagement and in the context of a changed self. We explored engagement in stroke rehabilitation from the perspective of people with stroke with a primary focus on identifying key processes that appeared important to engagement in stroke rehabilitation.

This study drew on Interpretive Description methodology. Maximum variation and theoretical sampling were used to capture diversity in the sample and access a depth and breadth of perspectives. Data collection included semi-structured interviews with people with stroke (n = 19). Data were analysed through a collaborative and iterative process drawing on range of analytical tools including coding, memoing, diagramming and group discussions.

Our findings highlight that engagement is a complex, nuanced, responsive, flexible and inherently two-way process. Developing connections appeared central to engagement with connections taking various forms. The most fundamental was the therapeutic connection between the person with stroke and their practitioner as it provided the foundation on which to build other connections. Connection was made possible through five collaborative processes: Knowing, Entrusting, Adapting, Investing and Reciprocating.

Engagement is a social and relational process enabled through an inherently person-centred approach and active and ongoing reflexivity – highlighting the importance of a humanising approach to care where aspects of self, care and emotion are evident, for both the person with stroke and their practitioner.

人们越来越认识到参与对于最大限度地提高中风后康复结果的重要性。然而，当神经损伤影响一个人激活参与所必需的调节过程的能力时，以及在自我改变的背景下，参与可能具有挑战性。我们从卒中患者的角度探讨了卒中康复的参与，主要关注确定对参与卒中康复很重要的关键过程。

本研究借鉴了解释性描述方法。最大变化和理论抽样被用来捕捉样本中的多样性并获得深度和广度的观点。数据收集包括对中风患者的半结构化访谈（n = 19）。通过协作和迭代过程利用一系列分析工具（包括编码、备忘录、图表和小组讨论）对数据进行分析。

我们的研究结果强调，参与是一个复杂、细致入微、响应迅速、灵活且本质上是双向的过程。发展联系似乎是参与各种形式的联系的核心。最根本的是中风患者与其从业者之间的治疗联系，因为它为建立其他联系提供了基础。连接是通过五个协作过程实现的：了解、委托、适应、投资和互惠。

参与是一种社会和关系过程，通过固有的以人为本的方法和积极和持续的反思来实现 - 强调人性化护理方法的重要性，其中自我、护理和情感方面对中风患者及其从业者都是显而易见的.