Occupational Performance of Persons Who Have Suffered a Stroke: a Follow-up Study

The main purpose of this study was to describe the progress made in terms of occupational performance during a two-year period by persons who had suffered a stroke and had been discharged to their home after their initial hospital stay. The population of the study consisted of 49 persons, 30 men and 19 women, with a mean age of 69 years. The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) was used to assess their occupational performance. Of the whole population at discharge, 66% showed increased effort and 29% showed decreased efficiency and independency. The results also showed that the persons who had decreased the most in their efficiency dropped out from the study. Twenty-nine persons participated in the study for 2 years. The best ADL ability was seen in the population at 3 months after discharge. A decrease was seen at 18 months after discharge in AMPS ADL process ability and at 24 months in AMPS ADL motor ability. The results suggest that persons who have suffered a stroke and live in their homes maintain their AMPS ADL ability performance for 1.5 to 2 years. A low AMPS ADL process ability measure in persons who have suffered a stroke signifies a reduced possibility of living at home.