Occupational therapy is an effective way of improving the daily life of stroke patientsOctober 01, 2007Occupational therapy for patients with problems in personal activities of daily living after stroke: systematic review of randomized trials Occupational therapy can improve the lives of patients who have suffered a stroke and lessen their chances of deteriorating, according to a study published on bmj.com today. Stroke is the second leading cause of death in the world and the leading cause of serious, long-term disability in adults. Six months after a stroke approximately half of survivors are dependent on others to help them carry out everyday tasks such as eating, dressing and going to the toilet. We already know that rehabilitation is important after a stroke, but don't know enough about the effectiveness of the separate components of the rehabilitation package. Occupational therapy is defined as the use of purposeful activity designed to achieve outcomes which promote health, prevent injury or disability and which develop, improve or restore the highest possible level of independence. But it has many different components. This study reviewed trials comparing an occupational therapy intervention which focussed on the activities of daily living with a control group where there was no routine intervention. Researchers looked at nine randomised controlled trials with a total group size of 1258 people. The mean age ranged from 55 to 87.5 years. They found that patients who had undergone occupational therapy after a stroke were significantly more independent and able to carry out everyday tasks. This may not seem surprising, but the study also found that the odds of a poor outcome such as dependency on others and deterioration were also significantly lower. Lynn Legg and colleagues conclude: "Occupational therapy after stroke "works" in that it improves outcome in terms of ability in personal activities of daily living." They say further work is needed to define which individuals are most likely to benefit from occupational therapy and which specific interventions are the most effective. BMJ-British Medical Journal |
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| Related Occupational Therapy Current Events and Occupational Therapy News Articles Pushing the brain to find new pathways Until recently, scientists believed that, following a stroke, a patient had about six months to regain any lost function. After that, patients would be forced to compensate for the lost function by focusing on their remaining abilities. Communication problems in dementia care cause physical strain Excessive physical strain in dementia care is not so much related to equipment or the resident's body weight as it is due to communication problems and misunderstandings. This is shown in a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy. Wii-hab may enhance Parkinson's treatment The Nintendo Wii may help treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including depression, a Medical College of Georgia researcher says. Does universal health care affect attitude toward dementia? A new study has found that in spite of their universal health care system which facilitates access to free dementia care, older adults in the United Kingdom are less willing to undergo dementia screening than their counterparts in the U.S. because the Britons perceive greater societal stigma from diagnosis of the disease than do Americans. A License to Drive with ADHD If your teen can't pass a driver's test, it might not mean more time in driver's ed is needed. It might be due to ADHD. Occupational therapy gets people with osteoarthritis moving Physical activity is the cornerstone of any healthy lifestyle - and especially for people with osteoarthritis as exercise helps maintain good joint health, manage their symptoms, and prevent functional decline. Osteoarthritis, however, often makes physical activity, such as exercise, and even performing daily activities, a challenge. Lack of time on tummy shown to hinder achievement The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) is urging parents and caregivers to ensure that babies get enough "tummy time" throughout the day while they are awake and supervised, in light of a recent survey of therapists who say they've noticed an increase in motor delays in infants who spend too much time on their backs while awake. Depression after stroke: a neglected problem People who have had a stroke and the people who are close to them need more support in order to manage the consequences of stroke. Toys and technology for rehabilitation in cerebral palsy patients What began as a college course project to design therapeutic toys has resulted in the first toys of their kind, designed as therapy for children with cerebral palsy (CP). Autistic mannerisms reduced by sensory treatment Parents of children with autism are increasingly turning to sensory integration treatment to help their children deal with the disorder, and they're seeing good results. More Occupational Therapy Current Events and Occupational Therapy News Articles |
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