Occupational therapy (OT) is a type of rehabilitation treatment that helps post-stroke patients to provide support and to improve their physiological, psychological, cognitive, sensory and motor abilities.
Benefits of OT in post-stroke rehabilitation
After stroke, patients can relearn valuable skills including daily lifestyle activities like self grooming, eating, dressing, cooking, using computer etc. Patients can also perform their functional tasks like grasping object, shifting objects, folding sleeves of sweaters etc.
After stroke, OT helps the brain and the body to start regain its functions immediately and shows improvement for upto six months. Recovery speed may vary from person to person.
Thus occupational therapy helps the stroke survivors to return back to their normal life.
During the initial stages, splinting and self care activities are provided to patients. Adaptation and assisted devices like grab bar fixation, level of switches etc are also practised. Activities like reading newspaper, playing cards, other indoor play activities also helps in making the time valuable in post stoke rehab using OT.