Cochrane LibraryOccupational TherapyStroke

Review of occupational therapy following stroke

Occupational therapists have for many years been identified as key contributors to the rehabilitation of people with stroke.

Dr. Peter Langhorne and an international group of coworkers reviewed the Cochrane database and concluded, “occupational therapy should be available to everyone who has had a stroke.”

First, the details.

  • The results from 9 studies including 1258 participants were reviewed.

And, the results.

  • Occupational therapy targeted towards personal activities of daily living following stroke significantly increases performance and reduces the risk of a poor outcome (death, deterioration or dependency in personal activities of daily living).
  • For every 100 people who receive occupational therapy focused on personal activities of daily living, 11 are spared a poor outcome.

The bottom line?
The authors concluded, “Occupational therapy after stroke ‘works’ in that it improves outcome in terms of ability in personal activities of daily living.”

12/8/07 22:55 JR

Hi, I’m JR

John Russo, Jr., PharmD, is president of The MedCom Resource, Inc. Previously, he was senior vice president of medical communications at www.Vicus.com, a complementary and alternative medicine website.