Occupational Performance Coaching for Stroke Survivors: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Occupational Therapy

Background:

• Stroke significantly impacts participation in daily activities.
• Effective interventions are needed to improve outcomes for stroke survivors.
• Occupational Performance Coaching (OPC-Stroke) is a novel intervention targeting post-stroke participation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of study procedures for Occupational Performance Coaching for stroke survivors (OPC-Stroke).
• To explore the potential efficacy of OPC-Stroke in improving participation and related outcomes after stroke.

Main Methods:

• Pilot randomized controlled trial with 21 participants.
• Randomization to OPC-Stroke intervention or usual care.
• Evaluation of recruitment, retention, and outcome completion rates.
• Analysis of changes in participation, goal performance/satisfaction, self-efficacy, emotional well-being, and cognition.

Main Results:

• Satisfactory recruitment (66%) and retention (81%) rates.
• Moderate effect of OPC-Stroke on goal performance (η²_partial d = .075) and satisfaction (η²_partial d = .078).
• Large effect of OPC-Stroke on cognition (η²_partial d = .167).
• Participation scores improved in both groups, but with different trajectories.

Conclusions:

• Study procedures for OPC-Stroke were generally feasible.
• Preliminary findings suggest OPC-Stroke warrants further investigation for efficacy in stroke survivors.
• Further research is supported to confirm the effectiveness of OPC-Stroke.