Home-based Occupational Therapy to Improve Dressing Ability in Post Stroke Patient with Left Hemiparesis

Stroke is the leading cause for disability in Indonesia. Post stroke patients commonly experience significant impairment in their daily activities. This case study aims to describe the intervention to improve dressing ability in a post stroke patient. A home-based occupational therapy program was performed to a 75-year-old woman with severe dressing ability due to stroke 3 year ago. The program was part of a community-based occupational therapy program in Situsari village, West Java, Indonesia, during 5-18 May 2023. The patient experienced hemiparesis and spasticity on her left arm. She also could not stand or walk due to the pain in her hip and both knees. A rehabilitative frame of reference was used to improve her ability to dress. The program was started with passive stretching of the wrist and fingers, followed by dressing practice using pop light and rubber band. During each session, patient tried to feed a pop light or rubber band on her paralysed arm with the help of her normal hands, as to simulate the necessary movement for dressing. After 6 sessions of 45 minutes duration each, the patient started to show improvement in her endurance for dressing activity albeit she has not completed the task yet. She also showed progress in the passive range of movement (ROM) on her left arm. The intervention has shown its benefit for individual with impaired daily activities following stroke attack, particularly in elderly who frequently has ambulatory difficulties. It can help them to achieve independence in their daily living. Patient and her family should be encouraged to continue the home program in order to improve her dressing ability and her overall independence in the long term.