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Research Article
Issue Date: September/October 2007
Published Online: September 01, 2007
Updated: April 30, 2020
Relationship Between Awareness of Disability and Occupational Performance During the First Year After a Stroke
Lisa Ekstam; Brittmari Uppgard; Anders Kottorp; Kerstin Tham
Author Affiliations
  • Lisa Ekstam, MSc, OT (reg), is a PhD Student, Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Box 23200, SE-141 83, Huddinge, Sweden; lisa.ekstam@ki.se
  • Brittmari Uppgard, MSc, OT (reg), is Research Assistant, Geriatric Clinic, South Stockholm, Sweden
  • Anders Kottorp, PhD, OT (reg), is Assistant Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
  • Kerstin Tham, PhD, OT (reg), is Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Rehabilitation, Participation, and Disability / Stroke / Rehabilitation, Disability, and Participation
Research Article   |   September 01, 2007
Relationship Between Awareness of Disability and Occupational Performance During the First Year After a Stroke
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2007, Vol. 61, 503-511. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.5.503
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, September/October 2007, Vol. 61, 503-511. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.61.5.503
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Abstract

OBJECTIVES. This study examined the relationship between awareness of disability and occupational performance in a group of elderly persons during the year after stroke.

METHOD. Data on awareness of disability and occupational performance (i.e., activities of daily living [ADL] motor and process ability) were collected 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after stroke. A mixed-linear-effects model was implemented to examine the relationship between awareness of disability and ADL motor and process ability over time.

RESULTS. Increased awareness of disability was related to improvements in occupational performance (ADL motor and process ability). The 2 relationships were different, with a positive linear relationship between awareness of disability and ADL motor ability, and a stronger, positive, nonlinear relationship between awareness of disability and ADL process ability.

CONCLUSION. Clients’ awareness of disability and their ability to perform occupations should be assessed several times during a rehabilitation process so that interventions can be adjusted to match each client's potential to benefit from them.