Objective: To investigate the frequency of somatosensory impairment in stroke patients within different somatosensory modalities and different body areas, and their recovery. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: Two stroke rehabilitation units. Subjects: Seventy patients with a first stroke (36 men, 34 women; average age, 71, SD 10.00 years; average time since stroke onset, 15 days) were assessed on admission and two, four and six months after stroke. Interventions: Not applicable. Main measure: Nottingham Sensory Assessment. Results: Somatosensory impairment was common after stroke; 7—53% had impaired tactile sensations, 31—89% impaired stereognosis, and 34—64% impaired proprioception. When comparing somatosensory modalities within body areas the kappa values were low (kappa values <0.54). Recovery occurred over time, though not significantly in lower limb tactile sensations. Stroke severity was the main factor influencing initial somatosensory impairment, but accounted for a small amount of the variance (21—41%). Initial somatosensory impairment was significantly related to somatosensory ability at six months, accounting for 46—71% of the variance. Conclusions: Proprioception and stereognosis were more frequently impaired than tactile sensations. The different somatosensory modalities showed only slight agreement between impairment within the same body areas, suggesting that the modalities are independent of each other and all should be assessed. High agreements were found between different body areas for each somatosensory modality. Somatosensory impairment was associated with stroke severity, however low variance indicated other factors were involved.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of leisure therapy and conventional occupational therapy (OT) on the mood, leisure participation and independence in activities of daily living (ADL) of stroke patients 6 and 12 months after hospital discharge. Design: Multicentre randomized controlled trial. Setting and participants: Four hundred and sixty-six stroke patients from five UK centres. Main outcome measures: The General Health Questionnaire (12 item), the Nottingham Extended ADL Scale and the Nottingham Leisure Questionnaire, assessed by post, with telephone clarification. Results: Four hundred and forty (94%) and 426 (91%) subjects were alive at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Three hundred and seventy-four (85% of survivors) and 311 (78% of survivors) responded at 6 and 12 month follow-up respectively. At six months and compared to the control group, those allocated to leisure therapy had nonsignificantly better GHQ scores (–1.2: 95% CI –2.9, +0.5), leisure scores (+0.7, 95% CI –1.1, +2.5) and Extended ADL scores (+0.4: 95% CI –3.8, +4.5): the ADL group had nonsignificantly better GHQ scores (–0.1: 95% CI –1.8, +1.7) and Extended ADL scores (+1.4: 95% CI –2.9, +5.6) and nonsignificantly worse leisure scores (–0.3: 95% CI –2.1, +1.6). The results at 12 months were similar. Conclusion: In contrast to the findings of previous smaller trials, neither of the additional OT treatments showed a clear beneficial effect on mood, leisure activity or independence in ADL measured at 6 or 12 months.

Purpose More than 40 % of working age adults with stroke fail to return to work. The work context is a key factor in return to work, but little is known about the experiences of employers in supporting employees with stroke. The aim of this study was to explore return to work after stroke from the employer perspective, to identify key features associated with success and to seek participants’ views regarding the role of healthcare in return to work. Methods Data was gathered through 18 semi-structured interviews with employer stakeholders and included small business owners, line managers, human resources and occupational health staff. Data was analysed thematically. Results The main themes identified were: the impact of stroke on the employer, characteristics of the employee, communication, knowledge and information, experience of other stakeholders, integrating healthcare in return to work. Conclusion Employers face complex emotional and practical issues when helping an employee return to work after stroke, for which many lack knowledge and experience. The range and quality of support networks that they access is variable and advice and support from clinicians is welcomed. Further research is necessary to investigate how such support could be funded and integrated within existing service provision.

Background: Returning to work (RTW) in the UK is problematic following TBI. Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is limited and efficacy or costs seldom reported. This study aimed to determine whether a TBI specialist VR intervention (TBI VR) was more effective at work return and retention 12 months after injury than usual care (UC). Secondary aims were to explore the feasibility of collecting economic data to inform a definitive trial. Method: Work outcomes of TBI-VR were compared to UC. Ninety-four participants (40 TBI-VR) with TBI resulting in hospitalization ≥48 hours, who were working at injury were followed up by postal questionnaire at 3, 6 and 12 months post-hospital discharge. Primary outcome was RTW. Secondary outcomes were functional ability, mood and quality-of-life. Health resource use was measured by self-report. Results: At 12 months, 15% more TBI-VR participants (27% more with moderate/severe TBI) were working than UC (27/36, 75% vs. 27/45, 60%). Mean TBI-VR health costs per person (consultant, GP, therapy, medication) were only £75 greater at 1 year. Secondary outcomes showed no significant baseline differences between groups. Discussion: More TBI-VR participants returned to work than UC. People with moderate/severe TBI benefitted most. This positive trend was achieved without greatly increased health costs, suggesting cost-effectiveness. This study justifies the need for and can inform a definitive Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT).