Poster The Joint Annual Meeting of the Stroke Society of Australasia (SSA) and Smartstrokes 2023

A Feasibility Study of Remote Delivery of Return to Work Support after Stroke (#227)

Alyna Turner 1 , Heather Smith 1 , Jade Doonan 1 , Anna L Wrobel 1 , Alison Kennedy 1 2 , Olivia M Dean 1 , Sarah Baker 2 , Isabelle Manson 1 , Tara Johnson 1 , Mohammadrezza Mohebbi 1 , Rochelle Shackleton 3 , Ian I Kneebone 4
  1. Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
  2. Western District Health Service, Hamilton, Victoria, Australia
  3. Albury Wodonga Health, Wodonga, Victoria, Australia
  4. University of Technology, Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia

Background: Return to work (RTW) after stroke is an important rehabilitation outcome, however in rural areas specialised RTW support might not be available.

Aims: The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of a RTW support service, delivered by a single ‘RTW clinician’, via telecommunication to increase access to people who have had a stroke. The overall aims of the study were to evaluate satisfaction with the intervention and to test acceptability of procedures.

Methods: We recruited people aged 18-74, who experienced a stroke up to 2.5 months previously, at four Victorian sites (Barwon Health, Western District Health, Albury Wodonga Health and South West Health Care). Participants were assessed at baseline, 3- and 6-months post-stroke. Satisfaction with the intervention and procedures was evaluated through qualitative interviews at each timepoint and the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8 (CSQ-8; score range 8-32). Data pertaining to rates of RTW and other employment variables, as well as measures of mood, anxiety, fatigue and cognition, were collected. All procedures were completed via telephone, online survey and/or videoconference.

Results: Twenty-one participants were recruited. Telehealth delivery was feasible and associated with high satisfaction (CSQ-8 median score = 32). Twenty participants had the intervention until 6 months post-stroke. Eighteen of 21 (86%) participants returned to work within 6 months, with 16 of 20 (80%) participants employed and working at 6-months post-stroke. For those working at 6-months post-stroke, no change in hours of work was seen from pre-stroke (m=30.5, SD = 24.1 hours/week) to 6-months post-stroke (m=29.6, SD=11.9 hours/week, t=.12, p=.91). Measures of depression, anxiety, fatigue and cognition improved from baseline to 6-months post-stroke (Cohen’s d =.30 to .50).

Conclusion: Remote delivery of a RTW support service was feasible and acceptable to people who had recently experienced a stroke. High RTW rates were reported however a randomised controlled trial is required to confirm intervention effectiveness.