Effects of an Occupational Therapy Program on Functional Outcomes in Older Stroke Patients

Vol. 52, No. 2, 2006

Free Abstract Article (References) Article (PDF 124 KB)

Clinical Section

Effects of an Occupational Therapy Program on Functional Outcomes in Older Stroke Patients
Francesco Landi^a, Matteo Cesari^{a, b}, Graziano Onder^{a, b}, Alessia Tafani^a, Valentina Zamboni^a, Alberto Cocchi^a

^aDepartment of Gerontology-Geriatric and Physiatric, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy;
^bSticht Center on Aging, Wake Forest University, School of Medicine, Winston Salem, N.C., USA

Address of Corresponding Author

Gerontology 2006;52:85-91 (DOI: 10.1159/000090953)

Key Words

Stroke
Occupational therapy
Functional outcomes
Frail elderly

Abstract

Background: During the last decade, occupational therapy has gained increasing importance as component of the rehabilitation programs in disabled patients. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of occupational therapy programs in patients with a recent stroke. Methods: We selected all patients with a primary diagnosis of ischemic stroke (n = 50) consecutively admitted to the two post-acute Geriatric Rehabilitation Units (CEMI 2 and 3) of the 'A. Gemelli' Hospital - Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Patients in the unit CEMI 3 (intervention group) received 8 weeks (3 h per day) of a combined rehabilitation program based on occupational therapy and physiotherapy. Patients admitted to the control unit (CEMI 2) received no input from the occupational therapist. Results: Overall, patients had a moderate-to-severe impairment in basic activities of daily living; the mean ADL score was 30.8 (SD ± 7.8) in the intervention group and 30.7 (SD ± 6.1) in the control group (p = 0.9). After 8 weeks of treatment the mean ADL score in the intervention group was 13.2 (SD ± 9.9) compared to 20.3 (SD ± 11.5) in the control group (p = 0.02). Differences between the intervention and control groups were statistically significant for transfers (+2.8 vs. +1.6 points on the ADL scale, p = 0.006), locomotion (+3.4 vs. +1.7 points on the ADL scale, p = 0.01), dressing (+3.0 vs. +1.8 points on the ADL scale, p = 0.01) and self-care (+3.4 vs. +1.8 points on the ADL scale, p = 0.005). Conclusion: Our results show that patients with stroke who received occupational therapy had a greater level of independence in activities of daily living over a period of 8 weeks than patients who did not.

Author Contacts

Dr. Francesco Landi
Istituto di Medicina Interna e Geriatria, Centro Medicina dell'Invecchiamento (CEMI)
Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Agostino Gemelli, 8
IT-00168 Rome (Italy)
Tel. +39 06 338 8546, Fax +39 06 305 1911, E-Mail francesco_landi@rm.unicatt.it

Article Information

Received: July 27, 2004
Accepted: July 13, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 1, Number of Tables : 2, Number of References : 24

Medline Abstract (ID 16508315)

Download Citation

Free access to Mini Reviews!

This journal is part of the fourth subject package of the Karger

Journal Archive Collection

Information on packages (PDF)
Free sample issues

For non-native English speakers and international authors who would like assistance with their writing before submission, we suggest American Journal Experts for their scientific editing service.