Occupational engagement following mild stroke in the Australian context using the occupational gaps questionnaire

Abstract

Background

There is a need for research to identify the impact of mild stroke on occupational engagement. The Occupational Gaps Questionnaire (OGQ) measures the difference between a person’s actual and preferred occupational engagement.

Aims/objectives

This study aimed to test the feasibility of the English version of the OGQ, and describe occupational gaps of people with mild stroke.

Material and methods

A mixed methods, cross-sectional study involving 10 people with mild stroke at 1 and/or 9 months after stroke. Quantitative data were summarised descriptively and thematic analysis explored qualitative responses.

Results

Participants reported a mean of 6.7 (SD 5.1) gaps at 1-month and 3.00 (SD 2.1) gaps at 9-months. Outdoor activities, work, sports, and light home and heavy-duty maintenance were identified as gaps at both time-points. Two themes emerged from the qualitative analysis: Drivers of occupation and Occupations can be challenged or enabled. An additional finding in terms of feasibility was drawn from qualitative data: Feasibility of Conducting the OGQ with people with mild stroke.

Conclusions and significance

The English version of the OGQ was found to be a feasible instrument for identifying occupational gaps following mild stroke and may be suitable to support research and clinical practice with this population.

Keywords:

• Cerebrovascular accident
• activities of daily living
• occupational therapy
• community participation
• Australia

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the research team of the larger study that recruited the participants: Professor Suzanne Kuys, Dr Andrew Wong, Ms Leah Thompson, and Dr Angela Maguire.

Disclosure statement

The authors are solely responsible for the article’s content and report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by a Health Practitioner’s Research grant from the Allied Health Professions’ Office of Queensland, a New Investigator Award from The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, and a University of Queensland Researcher Higher Degree Scholarship.