LSVT BIG in late stroke rehabilitation: A single-case experimental design study

Abstract

BACKGROUND.: Late stroke rehabilitation interventions often target impairment with limited carryover to daily occupation. PURPOSE.: This study explored whether the LSVT BIG program could lead to improved performance in client-identified occupations and decreased impairment late poststroke. METHOD.: A single-case experimental design with one repetition was completed. Participants were two adults who had experienced a stroke 3 and 12 years previously. Each participant selected up to six occupational goals, and the intervention was applied to half. Repeated measures were taken using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure and the Rating of Everyday Arm-Use in the Community and Home. Additional measures of performance and impairment were applied pre- and postintervention. FINDINGS.: Performance improved on either self-assessment or blinded-rater assessment for all but one activity (trained or untrained). IMPLICATIONS.: LSVT BIG is a promising intervention to improve occupational performance. Further research is required to clarify elements of the program essential to improving occupational performance.