Question: How occupational therapy improves outcomes and prevents deterioration of stroke victims?
Introduction
Stroke is the leading cause of disability among adults in developed countries. Whereas the rate of survival
has improved substantial over the past few years, the survivors live with residual motor impairments that limit their quality of life and independence. The only available treatment to survivor of a stroke is motor rehabilitation. However, few survivors receive enough rehabilitation to induce clinically significant changes in their motor skills. After a stroke, occupational therapists work to aid and develop motor skills in the affected limbs to improve the ability of the patient to take care of him or herself. They also help the patient to become skilled in coping strategies because of the perceptual, mental, and behavioral alterations associated with a stroke. The occupational therapists work with the patients to ascertain the impact of a stroke on ability to perform daily tasks and develop goal-oriented curriculums that help the patients develop skills essential for full contribution in daily life.
Search steps that were followed
The input of an occupational therapist in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors is essential and appreciated by practitioners in the medical field. However, the level of evidence available in favor of this view is limited to opinions, expert committee reports, and recommendations from experienced authorities. Legg and his colleagues try to change this by reviewing applicable clinical studies and synthesizing the data collected for more than a decade to establish the significance of occupational therapy in the treatment of stroke survivors (Kristensen et al, 2011).
Findings and Potential application
In their review, Legg and his colleagues establish that occupational therapists who focus on daily life activities significantly improve the performance of their patients. Their analyzed data indicate a standardized mean difference of 0.18. The therapists also reduce the risk of poor outcomes, which often results in dependency in daily life activities. The data indicate an odd rate of 0.67 with a confidence rate of 95% at intervals of 0.51 and 0.87 (McPherson & Ellis-Hill, 2007). Data from the analysis indicates that an occupational therapy improves the outcome of patients after a stroke. It also reduces the rate and extent of worsening in functional performance. Scores of people struggle with the effects of a stroke for many years. The information gathered in the study could help formulate policies that ensure satisfactory levels of care for stroke survivors (Steultjens et al, 2003: Rowland, Cooke, & Gustafsson, 2008).
Limitations
Legg and colleagues focus on how occupational therapy can improve the performance of daily activities. Although this is paramount in the recovery of stroke victims, it is only part of the many occupational therapy interventions after stroke. Rehabilitation is a complex undertaking that involves therapists working to better the participation of stroke survivors in not only domestic activities, but also other activities, such as leisure activities. Legg and contemporaries focus on the aspects of occupational therapy that are easy to grasp, however, they provide an evidence base for the important of occupational therapists in the rehabilitation of stroke survivors (Borg-Stein, 2008).
Conclusion
People who have suffered a stroke should be referred to an occupational therapist for help with their daily life activities. However, it remains unclear which occupational therapies are effective and for whom. The next step is identifying which interventions are most effective and under what parameters. This will ensure the knowledge improves as many lives as possible.
References
Borg-Stein, J. (2008). Occupational therapy after stroke. Journal Watch. Neurology
Kristensen, H. K., Persson, D., Nygren, C., Boll, M., and Matzen, P. (2011). Evaluation of evidence within occupational therapy in stroke rehabilitation. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 18(1): 11-25.
McPherson K. M., and Ellis-Hill, C. (2007). Occupational therapy after stroke. British medical journal, 335(7626): 894-895.
Rowland, T., Cooke, D., & Gustafsson, L. (2008). Role of occupational therapy after stroke. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 11, 99-107.
Steultjens, E., Dekker, J., Bouter, L. M., van de Nes, Jos C.M., Edith H.C., and van den Ende, C. (2003). Occupational therapy for stroke patients: a systematic review. Journal of the American heart association, 34(3): 676-687
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