The effect of occupati̇onal therapy on upper extremity functi̇on and dai̇ly li̇fe acti̇vi̇ti̇es i̇n stroke pati̇ents

FUNCTİON AND DAİLY LİFE ACTİVİTİES İN STROKE PATİENTS This study has been conducted to evaluate the effects of occupational therapy on the function of the upper extremity and daily activities in hemiplegic patients. In this study, a total of 48 patients were included who applied to Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital. These patients got diagnosed with a stroke, between the ages of 18 to 80 years, with a history of having a stroke and paralysis that lasted a minimum of two months and a maximum of three years. 24 patients who were treated in the university department of the hospital were chosen as the treatment group and they were taken for occupational therapy along with indication. The other group of 24 patients who were treated in the central department was chosen as the control group, which couldn't get occupational therapy due to lack of an ergotherapy unit in the central department of the hospital. The patients in the first group took standard rehabilitation treatment for 45 minutes a day, five days a week that lasted for 6 weeks. In addition to the standard therapy, the patients were given occupational therapy for upper extremity for 45 minutes a day and 3 days a week. The patients in the second group took only standard rehabilitation treatment. All patients were evaluated both before the treatment and at the end of the 6th week after treatment by using Barthel Index (BI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Function (FMD) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT). In both the treatment group and the control group, a significant increase was seen in the statistical results of Barthel Index(BI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Function (FMD) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) compared to pre-treatment. Upon comparison, a statistically significant difference was found in the results of Fugl-Meyer Assessment of Sensorimotor Function (FMD) and Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) before and after treatment between both groups. Barthel Index results didn't show any significant difference between groups. As a result, it is concluded that there is a benefit of occupational therapy when given along with standard treatment for the improvement of upper extremity motor functions. More studies are still needed which should be conducted with a bigger number of patient groups that clearly explain when and where occupational therapy should be given, how the treatment protocols should be and which patients would benefit the most from this treatment.