Table 3.

Study 1_Selected quotes and overall descriptive themes representing participants’ preference and suggested modifications.

Themes	Subthemes	Sample quotes
Feelings generated from practicing the techniques		I was ehh, it (thinking of a nice place) took me back to thinking about a wedding in Bali on an elephant. Then it brought a tear to my eye, it was a good one, yea. (P2, Male, 60) I know I am relaxed when I can open and close my left hand… because of the work we are doing (body relaxation), so I am fairly relaxed at the moment because I can open and close my hand. (P3, Male, 69) It is because normally we don’t stop, we are always doing something else, but I think this (breath watch) is fantastic... (P4, Male, 63, with communication problems) (Word Repetition) Didn’t do anything. Well you could just erm, you could just repeat the word automatically, without it really uh doing anything, well that’s what I found…nothing happened really. (P10, Male, 56)
Perceived ease or difficulty of using the techniques	Most techniques were simple and easy to follow and practice	I think it (breath watch) goes across the border that anyone can do this whether they are disabled or not. (P3) This (positive emotions) is very very, very easy instructions to follow. (P5, Female, 60, with communication difficulties)
	Some techniques were difficult to use or did not work	That (word repetition) was like a mantra, wasn’t it? I was um having difficulty for that. Um.. I don’t know what word (to say). (P7, Female, 51, with communication difficulties) I think (counting) it’s difficult because I have to concentrate. Um…that is what um a lot of stroke people find that the concentration goes… (P6, Female, 61, with communication difficulties) That uh exercise (body movement), that uh, I’ve a, every day in the bathroom uh cleaning the kitchen and all, all sorts vacuuming all sorts that’s no good that. (P12, Male, 56)
	Liked the DVD format of delivering the techniques	I think that DVD overall will be better, it’s easier to follow somebody describing the step than trying to decipher what the meaning behind the words is. You can pause it (the DVD) and you can go back you know, you, repetition it is more versatile than the written page. (P3)Show it on a computer like you, I would look on it — visually, but I cannot write. (P4)
Modifying the techniques to suit stroke survivors’ needs	Change some wording	To emphasize ‘think about’ it (body relaxation) you know. Just concentrate on that side and move to the other side without moving. (P11, Male, 65)
	Required modifications for survivors with aphasia	I heard the color ‘yellow’, and just concentrate on that…I get confused about colors, still…maybe say ‘warm and fuzzy feeling’. (Positive emotion). (P7) I would like him to talk when it was quiet (during the practice time), tell me, prompt me… also put it (wording) on screen in writing. (Body relaxation) …Just taking into consideration the aphasic point about pictures, and for P8 (who has severe communication difficulties), to speak as slowly as possible in the video. (P5)
	Recommendations to make the DVD look better	I would say DVD but delivered by someone who is sitting down which is a visual way of relaxation. Someone that is sat down somewhere that looks relaxing anyway, as opposed to someone who could be stood at the blackboard at school. (P2)