A cluster randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention for residents with stroke living in UK care homes (OTCH): study protocol
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The occupational therapy (OT) in care homes study (OTCH) aims to investigate the effect of a targeted course of individual OT (with task training, provision of adaptive equipment, minor environmental adaptations and staff education) for stroke survivors living in care homes, compared to usual care.
METHODS/DESIGN: A cluster randomised controlled trial of United Kingdom (UK) care homes (n = 90) with residents (n = 900) who have suffered a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and who are not receiving end-of-life care. Homes will be stratified by centre and by type of care provided and randomised (50:50) using computer generated blocked randomisation within strata to receive either the OT intervention (3 months intervention from an occupational therapist) or control (usual care). Staff training on facilitating independence and mobility and the use of adaptive equipment, will be delivered to every home, with control homes receiving this after the 12 month follow-up.Allocation will be concealed from the independent assessors, but the treating therapists, and residents will not be masked to the intervention. Measurements are taken at baseline prior to randomisation and at 3, 6 and 12 months post randomisation. The primary outcome measure is independence in self-care activities of daily living (Barthel Activities of Daily Living Index). Secondary outcome measures are mobility (Rivermead Mobility Index), mood (Geriatric Depression Scale), preference based quality…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 900 participants or records.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Impaired humoral immunity in X-linked lymphoproliferative disease is associated with defective IL-10 production by CD4+ T cells
- Micropatterned TiO2 nanotubes: fabrication, characterization and in vitro protein/cell responses
- Standardized ileal digestibility of amino acids in four egg products and casein fed to weanling pigs
- The ontogeny of additional saccules in the orifice of the cheek pouches in hamsters (Phodopus campbelli Thomas, 1905 and Phodopus sungorus Pallas, 1773): a morphometric analysis
- Characterizing the Ovarian Cytogenetic Dynamics of Sichuan Bream (Sinibrama taeniatus) During Vitellogenesis at a Single-Cell Resolution
- Electrospun Piezoelectric Scaffold with External Mechanical Stimulation for Promoting Regeneration of Peripheral Nerve Injury
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.