A multicentre randomized controlled trial of leisure therapy and conventional occupational therapy after stroke

Objective: To evaluate the effects of leisure therapy and conventional occupational therapy (OT) on the mood, leisure participation and independence in 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 five UK centres.

Main outcome measures: The General Health Questionnaire (12 item), the Nottingham Extended ADL Scale and the Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire, assessed 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 survivors) and 311 (78% of survivors) responded at 6 and 12 month follow-up respectively. 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 scores (–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.