Document Type

Capstone

Abstract

Stroke survivors seldom regain their full functionality following hospital or inpatient rehabilitation, it is therefore pertinent to have an intervention that can aid their recovery back at home. Functional impairments often lead to other complications if not properly managed including decreased participation in activities of daily living, decreased social activities, and increased depression. This project introduces a consistent, daily exercise for their recovery that is essential, described as occupation-based home exercise program (HEP). The purpose of the study is to administer this occupation-based home exercise program to assist stroke survivors to continue recovery at home to improve their functional ability, both physically and emotionally. The project participants include stroke survivors in their home environment. Those who met the criteria were educated on the benefits of occupation-based tasks and the importance of social support towards this course. Three different questionnaires were then administered to the group focusing on different functionalities. A pre-assessment was administered then the occupation-based HEP was reviewed and participants were sent home with a copy. After one month, a post-assessment was conducted to evaluate the outcome. The study included six participants, three reported for the post-assessment, representing 50% participation rate. Two of the participants recorded the same value for pre- and post-assessment, while one a positive change for the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. The Patient Health Questionnaire indicated a reduction in depressive symptoms after the introduction of occupation-based HEP program in two clients. The Social Support and Exercise Survey indicates the importance of external support towards compliance, family members and friends can positively influence the client to comply with the prescribed exercises and occupation-based activities. These three questionnaires were important to this project; they provided statistics before and after the introduction of occupation-based HEP program and it was clear from the results that there was a positive change. Chronic stroke survivors can, therefore, benefit from the program and with the help of family and friends, they can easily adhere to the exercises and the program to improve their functionality with time.

Publication Date

4-2-2018

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