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Introduction: The Perceive Recall Plan Perform System of Task Analysis is an ecological assessment of occupational performance and cognitive strategy application. This study aimed to describe occupational performance and cognitive strategies of stroke survivors in an early supported discharge service, compare the assessment with global measures of function and evaluate the feasibility of implementing the assessment in the early supported discharge setting. Method: This study was a pilot study design and used consecutive sampling. Participants were assessed with the Perceive Recall Plan Perform System of Task Analysis and two global measures: the Functional Independence Measure and the Australian Modified Lawton's Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale. Scores from the Perceive Recall Plan Perform System of Task Analysis were analysed by task mastery, sub-quadrants and quadrants, and correlations between the assessment and global measures were examined. Findings: In this cohort (n = 10), the Perceive Recall Plan Perform System of Task Analysis assessment required 47 minutes per task and identified reduced task mastery (mean = 55%, SD = 10%) with common difficulties in the perceive and plan domains. High to moderate correlations were identified between the plan quadrant and global measures (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Perceive Recall Plan Perform System of Task Analysis assessment can be successfully implemented by occupational therapists with stroke survivors receiving early supported discharge to measure occupational performance and identify strengths and difficulties in cognitive strategy application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim Home visits, used by occupational therapists to facilitate independence and enhance safety, are effective but costly and time consuming. This research aims to establish the level of agreement in equipment prescribed by occupational therapists using: digital photographs only, and using home visits and digital photographs, respectively. Method Quasi-experimental methodological design conducted in private dwellings in the community in Adelaide with rehabilitation patients and their family members. The equipment recommended by occupational therapists for the toilet and bathroom using similar methods (both digital photographs from previous data; n = 5) was compared with equipment recommended using different methods (conventional home visits vs. digital photographs; n = 14). Results Percent agreement for equipment prescribed between groups, that is digital only and home visit/photography, respectively, were: 72.5/83.9% for toilet; 87.4/88.3% for bathroom and 83/87% for toilet and bathroom. Variability of agreement in the equipment prescribed showed that some items of equipment were incongruently prescribed, by both methods for toilet and bathroom areas. Conclusion Using digital photographs taken by family members, patient information, and an equipment list is a reliable method of making accurate equipment prescriptions in the toilet and bathroom areas. To enhance accuracy, in-depth patient information via face-to-face interview and measurements of physical environment should be included. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Little is known about how older people recovering from stroke perceive their return to driving, particularly in the early stages of recovery when they may receive driving information. Methods: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 21 participants (52% female, mean age 74.5 years) within the first 16 weeks post-stroke, while inpatients in either acute or rehabilitation stroke wards. Interview data were analysed using content analysis. Results: Three main themes emerged: 'driving as independence', 'emphasis on physical recovery', and 'limits on driving pre-stroke'. Conclusions: For the most part, driving was not a key consideration for participants during this phase of their recovery. Physical restrictions and confidence were seen as the main deterrent to driving post-stroke; however, this varied according to gender. Driving information is generally not retained in the first four weeks of recovery post-stroke. This has implications for the content and timing of driving information given post-stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim Understanding the differences in preferences of patients and occupational therapists for the way in which rehabilitation services are provided is important. In particular, it is unknown whether new approaches to rehabilitation such as high intensity therapy and virtual reality programs are more or less acceptable than traditional approaches. Methods A discrete choice experiment was conducted to assess and compare the acceptability of these new approaches, relative to other characteristics of the rehabilitation program. The study included patients participating in a stroke or medical rehabilitation program (n = 100), occupational therapists (n = 23) and other clinicians (n = 91) working in rehabilitation settings at three hospitals in South Australia. Data were analysed using a conditional (fixed-effects) logistic regression model. Results The model coefficient attached to very high intensity therapy programs (defined as six hours per day) was negative and highly statistically significant for both patients and therapists indicating aversion for this option. In addition, other rehabilitation clinicians and patients were strongly averse to the use of virtual reality programs (as evidenced by the negative and highly statistically significant coefficient attached to this attribute for both groups) relative to occupational therapists. Conclusion The comparison of the views of patients, occupational therapists and other rehabilitation clinicians revealed some differences. All participants (patients and clinicians) showed an inclination for programs that resulted in the best recovery. However, patients expressed stronger preferences than clinicians for traditional therapy approaches. As a group, occupational therapists were most likely to accept approaches such as virtual reality suggesting changes away from traditional delivery methods will be more readily integrated into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which aims to establish the criterion validity of Stroke Drivers' Screening Assessment (SDSA) and Useful Field of View (UFOV) evaluation by comparing the on-road test results. It says that stroke causes disability on older people and increases the risk of driving accidents. It notes that on-road driving becomes the basis in issuing drivers' licenses to those who have experienced stroke. Results show that UFOV and SDSA are effective in assessing one's driving ability.

Aim To determine whether self-perceived driving confidence levels are lower in the post-stroke driving population than their aged-matched non-stroke driving peers. A lack of driving confidence has been linked to self-limiting driving behaviours. Method Adelaide Driving Self-Efficacy Scale ( ADSES) scores were collected for a stroke population who returned to driving ( N = 40, 25 men) with a mean age of 65 ( SD = 12.17) years and an older non-stroke driver population ( N = 114, 56 men) with a mean age of 72 ( SD = 5.2) years. Results The non-stroke and stroke groups showed no significant differences in ADSES scores ( t(153) = 0.32, P = 0.58). Conclusion Stroke survivors who return to driving have no differences in their driving confidence to their aged-matched non-stroke driving peers. Timely recognition of lack of driving confidence might allow for appropriately targeted intervention strategies and prevent premature driving cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]