Occupational therapy activities and intervention techniques for clients with stroke in six rehabilitation hospitals

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively monitor occupational therapy activities and intervention techniques used during inpatient stroke rehabilitation in order to provide a description of current clinical practice.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 954 clients with stroke receiving occupational therapy from six U.S. rehabilitation hospitals. Descriptive statistics summarized frequency, intensity, and duration of occupational therapy sessions; proportion of time spent in 16 therapeutic activities; and proportion of those activities that included any of 31 interventions.

Results: Clients received on average 11.8 days (SD = 7.2) of occupational therapy, with each session lasting on average 39.4 min (SD = 16.9). Upper-extremity control (22.9% of treatment time) and dressing (14.2% of treatment time) were the most frequently provided activities. Interventions provided most frequently during upper-extremity control activities were strengthening, motor learning, and postural awareness.

Conclusion: Occupational therapy provided reflected an integration of treatment approaches. Upper-extremity control and basic activities of daily living were the most frequent activities. A small proportion of sessions addressed community integration.