Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of a workplace intervention programme on the
rate of return to work of previously employed stroke survivors in the Gauteng
province of South Africa. DESIGN: A randomised controlled trial. SETTING:
Participants' workplaces and three hospitals with stroke rehabilitation facilities. SUBJECTS: Eighty stroke survivors between the ages of 18 and 60 years
who were employed at the time of stroke onset. INTERVENTION: The workplace
intervention programme was tailored according to functional ability and workplace
challenges of each stroke survivor. The control group received usual stroke care
which took into consideration job requirements but without workplace
intervention. MAIN OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was return to work rate.
Secondary outcomes included activities of daily living (ADLs), mobility, basic
cognitive function and perceived quality of life. RESULTS: At six months
follow-up 60% (n = 24) of stroke survivors in the intervention group returned to
work compared to 20% (n = 8) in the control group (P <0.001). The odds ratio for
return to work for stroke survivors in the intervention group was 5.2. For every
unit increase in the ADLs and cognitive assessment score, the odds of return to
work increased by 1.7 and 1.3 respectively; those who returned to work had better
quality of life than those who did not return to work (P = 0.05). CONCLUSION: A workplace intervention consisting of workability assessments and workplace visits
was effective in facilitating return to work for stroke survivors in the Gauteng
province of South Africa.
CI - (c) The Author(s) 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS