Occupational Therapy Practice in Hospital-based Stroke Rehabilitation?

Abstract

Background: Occupational therapy after stroke represents a complex intervention. Objective: The aim of this observational study was to document the content of occupational therapy stroke rehabilitation in an Australian general rehabilitation ward. Methods: A behavioural mapping tool recorded 22 occupational therapy sessions at five-minute intervals for nine participants with stroke (mean age 70.6 years, 88.9% female). Results: The mean session length was 41 minutes. The focus of therapy was predominantly at body functions (mean 16.5 minutes) and motor and perceptual impairments were addressed most often. Conclusion: The overall amount of occupational therapy provided was consistent with session lengths reported from effective stroke units and recommended by stroke guidelines. However, the results highlight the difficulties for occupational therapists working within the hospital environment, including practice that was largely restricted to the level of impairment and basic activities of daily living.

Key words::

• behavioural mapping
• intensity
• occupational therapy stroke rehabilitation
• therapy content

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff of the hospital rehabilitation centre whose continual support of research is exceptional and the patients who allowed the authors to follow them around and observe what they did in their day.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.