CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENT - RELATIONSHIP OF DEMOGRAPHIC, DIAGNOSTIC, AND OCCUPATIONAL-THERAPY ANTECEDENTS TO REHABILITATION OUTCOMES

Objective. This study was conducted to identify factors that were sign ificant in predicting occupational therapy treatment choices and disch arge outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation for 112 patients who had experienced a cerebrovascular accident. Method. A retrospective descri ptive study was conducted. Results. According to discriminant function analysis, the cerebrovascular accident disability score (i.e., level of functional disability) during the initial evaluation period was the predictor of discharge outcomes with the most clinical significance. A greater proportion of occupational therapy assessment units was the most influential occupational therapy factor associated with a positiv e discharge outcome. In one inpatient rehabilitation setting, a greate r proportion of occupational therapy intervention for all study subjec ts was directed at the level of impairment compared to the level of di sability. Conclusion. Shorter inpatient stays, as well as shifts to ou tpatient rehabilitation, may require occupational therapists to examin e whether intervention at the level of impairment or disability yields the best functional outcomes for patients who have sustained a cerebr ovascular accident.