P19 The lived experiences and treatment preferences of stroke survivors living with insomnia: An interpretive phenomenological analysis

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McLaren, Declan M and Evans, Jonathan and Baylan, Satu and Harvey, Monika and Gardani, Maria (2026) P19 The lived experiences and treatment preferences of stroke survivors living with insomnia: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. BMJ Open Respiratory Research, 13 (Suppl ). A27.3-A28. (https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2026-BSS.44)

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Abstract

Introduction Understanding the experiences and treatment preferences of stroke survivors living with insomnia is necessary to inform clinical practice and guide intervention development. This study explored subjective accounts of the experience and impact of insomnia after stroke, and preferences pertaining to treatment. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted remotely with 10 UK-based stroke survivors aged 30-65 years (x̄ = 50.90, SD = 10.71). Transcripts were analysed ideographically via Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, generating personal (PETs) and group experiential themes (GETs). Results Analysis revealed that interviews naturally bifurcated into two domains: the experience and impact of insomnia, and experiences and preferences relating to treatment. Regarding the former, two GETs were derived: (1) Sleep is fluid, and changes throughout recovery, and (2) Insomnia makes everything harder. Sleep was impacted immediately after stroke – exacerbated by hospitalisation – and contributed to detriments in wellbeing; often bi-directionally. Three GETs were derived relating to treatment: (1) Sleep isn’t taken seriously after stroke, (2) Non-pharmacological intervention is preferred, and (3) Previous attempts at improving sleep have not worked. Participants expressed dissatisfaction with the support they received for sleep, justified their aversions to pharmacological intervention, and lamented the loss of previously effective strategies for managing sleep. Discussion There are limited qualitative explorations of the lived experiences and treatment preferences of stroke survivors living with insomnia. Findings highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of post-stroke insomnia, its bidirectional relationship with facets of wellbeing, and the need for greater clinical focus on sleep after stroke. Accounts indicate a clear preference for non-pharmacological interventions, a desire for person-centred care, and more autonomy in treatment decisions. Derivation of a proposed conceptual model may inform research into insomnia’s aetiology after stroke.

ORCID iDs

McLaren, Declan M ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7578-1698, Evans, Jonathan, Baylan, Satu, Harvey, Monika and Gardani, Maria;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)