Addressing the Forgotten Dimension: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Study of Sexual Health in Neurological Rehabilitation Patients and Their Care Team

Why It Matters

Addressing sexual health fills a critical gap in neuro‑rehabilitation, improving overall patient well‑being and informing care standards. The study’s insights can reshape clinical protocols and professional training across the field.

Key Takeaways

• Study targets 30 neuro-rehab inpatients for sexual health questionnaires.
• Up to 15 patients will share experiences via in-depth interviews.
• Staff survey reveals clinicians' comfort levels and perceived barriers.
• Findings will guide integration of sexual health into rehab protocols.
• Results to be published and shared in staff feedback sessions.

Pulse Analysis

Sexual health remains a hidden yet vital component of quality of life for individuals recovering from stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury. While neurologists and physiatrists focus on motor and cognitive recovery, patients often report diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, or altered body image that go unaddressed. The literature documents a systematic neglect of sexuality in rehabilitation settings, creating a gap between clinical outcomes and holistic well‑being. Recognizing this blind spot, the new mixed‑methods study at a 24‑bed Brussels neuro‑rehab unit seeks to quantify the problem and give voice to patients’ lived experiences.

The research employs a dual‑track approach: thirty in‑patients will complete validated scales measuring sexual function, satisfaction, mood, and body image, while a purposive sample of ten to fifteen will participate in semi‑structured interviews. Parallelly, all rehabilitation staff will answer an anonymous questionnaire probing comfort, beliefs, and perceived obstacles to discussing sexuality. Quantitative data will generate prevalence rates and identify clinical correlates, whereas thematic analysis of interview transcripts will uncover nuanced barriers such as cultural taboos or lack of training. This methodological blend promises a richer, actionable evidence base than surveys alone.

By translating findings into concrete protocols, the project aims to embed sexual health assessments into routine intake and discharge planning, a step that could reshape standards across European neuro‑rehabilitation networks. Publication in a peer‑reviewed journal and targeted feedback sessions will accelerate knowledge transfer to clinicians, administrators, and policy makers. Ultimately, the study could spur reimbursement reforms, staff education curricula, and patient‑centered care models that treat sexuality as an integral outcome, not an afterthought.