The Effect of Occupational Therapy on Upper Extremity Function and Daily Life Activities in Stroke Patients

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) added to standard rehabilitation treatments on hemiplegic stroke patients' daily life activities and upper extremity functions. Material and Methods: This prospective, randomized, controlled clinical study included 50 patients aged between 20 and 80 who had suffered a stroke and developed hemiplegia due to cerebrovascular accident and applied to Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Hospital. The study patients were divided into two groups: an OT [treatment] group receiving standard rehabilitation (five days a week for six weeks) and OT (three days a week for six weeks, 45 minutes per day) and a standard treatment (ST) [control] group receiving standard rehabilitation only. All patients were evaluated before (at initial) and after the treatment (at the end of the 6-week treatment). The Barthel Index (BI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Motor Recovery (FMA) Scale, and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) were used to investigate treatment effectiveness. Results: There was a significant increase in the post-treatment (at the end of the 6- week treatment) BI, FMA Scale, and ARAT scores in both OT and ST groups compared to the pre-treatment (at initial) scores. The FMA scale and ARAT scores significantly differed between groups 6 weeks after the treatment; the post-treatment ARAT and FMA scale scores were statistically significantly higher in the OT group than in the ST group. No significant difference was found between the groups in pre-treatment and post-treatment BI scores. Conclusion: The present study revealed that occupational therapies added to the standard rehabilitation practices contribute to developing motor functions of the upper extremity in hemiplegic stroke patients.