In this study, we examined the effectiveness of a community-based, occupational therapy intervention situated within an intensive comprehensive aphasia program (ICAP). Occupational therapy interventions addressed goals of participants with chronic stroke and aphasia for improving their satisfaction with and performance of instrumental activities of daily living, social participation, leisure, work, and volunteer activities. Over 3 yr, 19 people with chronic stroke and aphasia participated in a month-long, intensive, interprofessional, community-based program. Significant improvement in participation in valued activities was demonstrated on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (p < .01), goal attainment scaling (p < .01), and two domains of the Stroke Impact Scale (p < .05). We conclude that occupational therapy using collaborative goal setting and problem solving as part of an interprofessional team may be an important component to include in ICAPs to address functional participation goals.

Addressing health promotion, management, and maintenance is within the scope of occupational therapy practice and has been shown to improve occupational performance and QOL for older adults. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

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Date Presented 4/1/2017 This poster presents findings from a study that supports inclusion of occupational therapy in an intensive, comprehensive aphasia program to increase performance of and satisfaction with valued occupations focusing on instrumental activities of daily living, leisure, work, and social participation for people with chronic stroke and aphasia. Primary Author and Speaker: Anne Escher Additional Authors and Speakers: Aditi Amlani, Angela Viani, Sue Berger

Introduction Occupational therapists work with clients with impaired communication to re-engage in valued occupations. This systematic review seeks to answer the question: What are effective interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to address participation for adults with aphasia? Method A systematic review of the literature was completed using PubMed, PsychInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and OT Seeker databases. Intervention studies within the scope of occupational therapy practice with a participation outcome, and published in peer reviewed journals from 2000 to 2019, were included. The quality of each study was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings Thirteen articles fit the inclusion criteria. Categories of interventions that emerged from the data include community-based groups, individually tailored programs, adaptation/presentation of materials, interprofessional interventions, and psychoeducation. Conclusion There is evidence to support the use of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to increase participation for people with aphasia. Specifically, the use of community-based groups and adaptation of materials are effective to facilitate participation. Most of the studies were pre-post one group design; however, they demonstrated positive results for participation outcomes. More research is needed on people with aphasia that focuses on participation in meaningful occupations.