Occupational Therapy in an Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Program: Performance and Satisfaction Outcomes

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of a community-based, occupational therapy intervention situated within an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP). Occupational therapy interventions addressed goals of participants with chronic stroke and aphasia for improving their satisfaction with and performance of instrumental activities of daily living, social participation, leisure, work, and volunteer activities. Over 3 yr, 19 people with chronic stroke and aphasia participated in a month-long, intensive, interprofessional, community-based program. Significant improvement in participation in valued activities was demonstrated on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (p < .01), goal attainment scaling (p < .01), and two domains of the Stroke Impact Scale (p < .05). We conclude that occupational therapy using collaborative goal setting and problem solving as part of an interprofessional team may be an important component to include in ICAPs to address functional participation goals.