Cj. Parker et al., A multicentre randomized controlled trial of leisure therapy and conventional occupational therapy after stroke, CLIN REHAB, 15(1), 2001, pp. 42-52
Objective: To evaluate the effects of leisure therapy and conventional occu
pational therapy (OT) on the mood, leisure participation and independence i
n activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients 6 and 12 months after
hospital discharge.
Design: Multicentre randomized controlled trial.
Setting and participants: Four hundred and sixty-six stroke patients from f
ive UK centres.
Main outcome measures: The General Health Questionnaire (12 item), the Nott
ingham Extended ADL Scale and the Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire, assesse
d by post, with telephone clarification.
Results: Four hundred and forty (94%) and 426 (91%) subjects were alive at
6 and 12 months, respectively. Three hundred and seventy-four (85% of survi
vors) and 311 (78% of survivors) responded at 6 and 12 month follow-up resp
ectively. At six months and compared to the control group, those allocated
to leisure therapy had nonsignificantly better GHQ scores (-1.2: 95% CI -2.
9, +0.5), leisure scores (+0.7, 95% CI -1.1, +2.5) and Extended ADL scores
(+0.4: 95% CI -3.8, +4.5): the ADL group had nonsignificantly better GHQ sc
ores (-0.1: 95% CI -1.8, +1.7) and Extended ADL scores (+1.4: 95% CI -2.9,
+5.6) and nonsignificantly worse leisure scores (-0.3: 95% CI -2.1, +1.6).
The results at 12 months were similar.
Conclusion: In contrast to the findings of previous smaller trials, neither
of the additional OT treatments showed a clear beneficial effect on mood,
leisure activity or independence in ADL measured at 6 or 12 months.