Affiliations: Program in Occupational Therapy, Washington University
School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Timothy J. Wolf, Program in
Occupational Therapy, Washington University School of Medicine, Campus Box
8505, 4444 Forest Park, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. Tel.: +1 314 286 1683; Fax:
+1 314 286 1601; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: To assess the work outcomes of individuals who have a
mild to moderate stroke. Participants: Individuals who (1) experienced a
mild to moderate stroke as determined by the National Institutes of Health
Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (range 0–16); (2) were working full time prior to
their stroke; and (3) were between the ages of 30–65. Methods: Participants were contacted and provided verbal consent to complete the
Occupational Outcome Questionnaire (OOQ) over the telephone at 6 months
post-stroke to determine their work outcomes. Results: Of the 98 participants recruited for this study, 37% (n = 36) never returned to work
following stroke. Of the 63% (n=62) who did return to work, 90% (n
=56) returned immediately to their previous jobs at their previous level. Of
those returning to work, 56% (n= 35) of individuals reported performing
at 75% of their ability or less. Further, the majority of all participants
reported chronic symptoms from their strokes. Conclusions: The current
assumption in the literature is that individuals experiencing mild to moderate
strokes are returning to work even in the absence of work rehabilitation
services. The assumptions of previous literature can be disputed with the
results of the current study.
Keywords: Stroke, return to work, executive function
