Is there a role for meaningful activity in stroke rehabilitation?
OBJECTIVE
Stroke survivors report multiple psychosocial issues after discharge and difficulties returning to meaningful roles and activities. This study explored the impact of an occupation-based group program on activity levels, well-being, and self-efficacy after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.


METHODS
This pilot study recruited participants from two hospital rehabilitation units. Both units provided individual therapy programs. Unit A provided an additional occupation-based group program. Behavioural mapping recorded participants' activity levels in hospital for one weekday and one weekend day. Outcome measures collected at recruitment, discharge, and/or 1 month after discharge included Modified Barthel Index, use of community supports, length of stay, Stroke Impact Scale, and Self- Efficacy Gauge.


RESULTS
Participants from Unit A (n = 8) had a significantly longer length of stay than Unit B (n = 11) and spent significantly more time in occupational therapy (P = .01). Both participant groups were more inactive on the weekday compared to the weekend (P = .03). Participants in Unit A were more likely to report low levels of social participation and stroke recovery (P <.05) on the Stroke Impact Scale.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no indication from the results of this study that an occupation-based group program had a positive effect on the measured outcomes.
Gustafsson
Louise
L
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
McKenna
Kryss
K
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020127:Recovery of Function; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome