Occupational Therapy at Home E-Rehabilitation (OTHER): a feasibility study of post-stroke intervention for transition to home.

Abstract

To evaluate the feasibility of the Occupational Therapy at Home E-Rehabilitation (OTHER) intervention for persons post-stroke (age > 55) transitioning to home. A mixed-methods feasibility study was conducted. Qualitative data included semi-structured interviews with persons post-stroke (<i>n</i> = 8) and informal caregivers (<i>n</i> = 4), a focus group with occupational therapists (OTs) (<i>n</i> = 4), and logbooks. Inductive thematic analysis explored the experiences of persons post-stroke and OTs, while feasibility was assessed deductively using Bowen's areas of feasibility. Quantitative data were the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Self-Management Ability Scale (SMAS-30), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to assess differences between baseline and 3 months. Eight persons post-stroke received OTHER. Inductive thematic analysis resulted in three themes from the perspectives of persons post-stroke and OTs: activity monitoring was appreciated; doing and talking were real supports; and the intervention was inspiring and challenging. Feasibility was acceptable based on Bowen's areas. A pre-post intervention change was observed on the COPM: 1 on performance and 1.5 on satisfaction, and for SMAS-30, a positive change of 4.67 was observed. The OTHER intervention and research protocol are feasible for home-based rehabilitation, and a larger trial is recommended.