Task-Oriented Occupational Therapy Approach in Chronic Stroke: Performance, Balance, Quality of Life

The Effect of Task-oriented Occupational Therapy Intervention on Occupational Performance, Occupational Balance and Quality of Life Among Individuals with Chronic Stroke

Chronic stroke is a neurological disorder that leads to long-term disability and functional impairments in motor, sensory, cognitive, and speech functions, persisting beyond six months after the stroke incident. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of task- oriented occupational therapy intervention on occupational performance, occupational balance, and quality of life in individuals with chronic stroke. The study included 30 individuals with chronic stroke aged between 18 and 65, who were divided into two groups:

the task-oriented occupational therapy intervention group (TOOT) (n=15) and the control group (n=15). The participants in the TOOT group received task-oriented occupational therapy intervention in 30-minute sessions, five days a week, for four weeks, while the control group received routine upper-extremity-based occupational therapy intervention in a hospital setting.

Inclusion Criteria:

• aged 18-65 years old,
• completed the acute phase of stroke
• experienced ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke
• had <=21 scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
• had <= 15 scores of the Rivermead Motor Assessment (RMA)
• had a motor stage of the hand and upper extremity motor stage level 3 or higher of the Brunnstrom Stages of Motor Recovery
• had scoring 2 or lower on the Modified Ashworth Scale for muscle tone around the shoulder, elbow, and wrist were included into the study.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Had an orthopedic problem affecting the upper extremity
• had undergone surgery in the past 6 months
• had a diagnosis related to a psychotic disorder.