Effectiveness of occupational therapy in hemiplegic patients.

Introdoction: This study aimed to investigate whether combine application of conventional therapy with occupational therapy in the content of repetitive task specific training provided additional benefits to motor and functional outcome of upper extremity in patients with stroke. Material and Method: The study was designed as prospective, randomized, controlled, single blind clinical trial.51 inpatient who have had hemiparesis related cerebrovascular accident involved to study. Patients were assigned into two groups, conventional therapy (five days in a week, for four weeks) and occupational therapy in the content of repetitive task specific training (an hour once in a day, five days in a week, for four weeks) were performed for group 1, only conventional therapy was performed for group 2. All patients were evaluated before and after the treatment. To assess efficiency of treatment Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Brunnstrom grades, Modified Ashworth Scale, Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT), Barthel Index, Fugl Meyer Motor Assessment upper extremity component and Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) were performed. Results: There was not a significant statistical difference between two group’s outcome parameters. But improvements statistical significant at Brunnstrom grade upper extemity and NHP emotional reactions in group 1 there was not seen in group 2. Despite our results are not supporting combined therapy clearly. Conclusion: According to literature and treatment guidelines occupational therapy including repetitive task specific training is suggested in upper extremity stroke rehabilitation as a complemantary procedure. Because of still there are questions that have to be answered, we think further studies are required on this issue