Effectiveness of Intensive Occupational Therapy at Home in Stroke Patients

Abstract

This study was a quasi-experimental research. The purpose of the research was to study the effectiveness of intensive occupational therapy training in stroke patients. The sample was obtained using purposive sampling, divided into two groups, each consisting of 30 patients. In the experimental group, the patients attended the intensive occupational therapy program and resumed training at home, with weekly phone call follow-ups. The control group participated exclusively in the standard program at the clinic. Both groups attended the training sessions for 60 minutes a day, 3 days a week, for 12 weeks. The Motor assessment scale (MAS) and the modified barthel activities of daily index (MBAI) measurements were adopted before and after the program. General data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test were employed to compare within and between groups, respectively. It was found that in each group, the medians of MAS and MBAI, before and after the program, were significantly different (p-value < 0.05). However, when the MAS and MBAI between the two groups were compared, it was shown they were not significantly distant. Intensive occupational therapy training at home among stroke patients can increase the strength of their arms and hands and enhance the performance of their daily activities. In cases patients are inconvenient to access services at the hospital, they can bring the program to practice at home. This is to increase the patient’s accessibility to rehabilitation services and improve the patient’s daily activity performance.