Occupational Therapy for Stroke Patients: A Survey of Current Practice

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Abstract
A survey was carried out in order to ascertain the treatment approaches used in stroke care by senior I occupational therapists in the Trent Region of the United Kingdom. A random selection of these therapists was subsequently interviewed using semi-structured interviews and a case vignette in order to obtain more detailed information. Of the 83 questionnaires sent, 61 (73%) were returned; 14 therapists were interviewed. The two most common approaches identified were the functional approach and the Bobath approach. The main indications for the choice of approach were the age of the patient, progress with other approaches and discharge date. Of concern in the current climate of evidence-based practice was the high number of occupational therapists who were unfamiliar with standardised assessments and unable to describe adequately the theoretical basis for the treatment used.