Physical Rehabilitation and Attitudes of CVA and Pulmonary Patients

Abstract

28 cerebro-vascular accident inpatients and 28 pulmonary outpatients were examined for attitudes toward hospital personnel and procedures, toward self, and toward socio-political issues. GSR records were also taken during testing. The ensuing 4 to 6 wk. of rehabilitation therapy was conceived to be the attitude-influencing procedure. Then Ss were again given the attitude questions, and GSR recordings were taken. The following major conclusions were reached: the physical rehabilitation process did a better job in changing attitudes in a desirable direction regarding self-perception for CVA inpatients than the pulmonary ourpatients. CVA inpatients became more skeptical than the pulmonary outpatients about hospital procedure and personnel though the latter displayed a reduction in tension about the attitude assessment.