This systematic review and meta-analysis examined data from nine randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effect of occupational therapy focused on practice of personal activities of daily living or where performance in such activities was the target of the occupational therapy intervention in a stroke population (n=1,258). Occupational therapy focused on improving personal activities of daily living after stroke increased performance scores (standardised mean difference 0.18, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.32, p=0.01) and reduced the risk of poor outcome (death, deterioration or dependency in personal activities of daily living) (odds ratio 0.67, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.87, p=0.003). For every 100 people who received occupational therapy focused on personal activities of daily living, 11 (95% CI 7 to 30) would be spared a poor outcome.
