OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN STROKE AND ACQUIRED BRAIN INJURY: FUNCTIONAL RECOVERY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN

Abstract

Stroke and acquired brain injury (ABI) are major causes of long-term disability, producing complex motor, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial impairments that disrupt occupational performance across the lifespan. Although advances in acute medical care have improved survival rates, many individuals continue to experience persistent limitations in self-care, productivity, and social participation. Occupational therapy plays a central role in functional recovery by addressing the interaction between neurological impairment, activity demands, and environmental context. This chapter synthesizes classic rehabilitation principles and contemporary evidence to present an integrated occupational therapy perspective on stroke and ABI rehabilitation. Emphasis is placed on task-oriented training, sensory-motor integration, cognitive and perceptual rehabilitation, adaptive strategies, and participation-focused interventions. Rather than presenting interventions in isolation, the chapter highlights concept-level integration across the continuum of care and across age groups. Evidence supporting occupational therapy interventions is critically discussed, with attention to clinical reasoning and individualized goal setting. The chapter underscores the importance of occupation-based, client-centered, and contextually responsive interventions in promoting independence, participation, and quality of life following stroke and acquired brain injury.