%0 Journal Article
%T Return to work after stroke ¨C Feasibility of 6
%A Julie Phillips
%A Kate Radford
%A Kathryn Gaffney
%A Margaret Phillips
%J British Journal of Occupational Therapy
%@ 1477-6006
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/0308022618791976
%X Little is known about long-term work sustainability of stroke survivors. A feasibility trial of early stroke specialist vocational rehabilitation had 32/46 (69.5%) participants available for follow-up at 12 months post stroke. Of these, 19/32 (59.4%) were in work. This study aims to determine the feasibility of longer-term follow-up and explore work status 6 years post stroke. Forty-eight participants fitting criteria for the feasibility trial were sent postal questionnaires measuring employment, income, mood, functional ability and quality of life, and were invited for interview to explore working 6 years after stroke. Ethical approval was obtained. Of the 48 participants, five (10.4%) had died; 19/43 (44.2%) responded. Fourteen were men; mean age 62 (24¨C78) years. Fourteen (74%) reported working (paid work n£¿=£¿10, voluntary work n£¿=£¿3, full-time education n£¿=£¿1). Five had retired. Most (11/13) remained with preinjury employers. Half (8/15, 53%) reported decreased income since stroke. Compared to one year, median functional ability was marginally higher (extended activities of daily living 63 (IQR 8, range 32¨C66) to 60 (IQR 9, range 17¨C66)), but health-related quality of life was lower (EuroQuol Visual Analogue Scale mean 77.4 [SD 11] to 70.7 [SD14]). Six interviewees felt returning to work was the correct decision but struggled with invisible impairments. This study suggests that long-term follow-up is feasible and that those who made a good recovery were more likely to respond. Work remains important to stroke survivors 6 years post stroke
%K Occupational therapy
%K stroke
%K feasibility
%K vocational rehabilitation
%K long-term effects
%K barriers and enablers
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0308022618791976