Independent living centre occupational therapy (OT) versus routine community OT

Abstract

Aim To determine whether the occupational therapy service from an independent living centre (ILC) was more or less effective than the routine community occupational therapy service. Methods This study is a pragmatic, pilot RCT, following a parallel group design where we randomized the participants to receive either occupational therapy (OT) services from the ILC (intervention) or routine community OT services (control). An automated randomization system allocated participants into one of the two groups. Intervention group participants usually received the intervention during a one-off visit to the centre of approximately 1.5 hours. Community OT assessments varied in length between 0.5 to 2 hours. The same researcher performed outcome assessments at 3 and 12 months after randomization, with one follow-up telephone contact and a further letter, if required. The primary outcome used to assess dependency was the Community Dependence Index (CDI). Secondary outcomes included a measure of quality of life, the EQ-5D. Results On average, the CDI increased (improved) at 3 months, for both the intervention group and control group, by two to three units on the CDI measure. This implies a small change in dependence were it to have been a real effect. Conclusion Our results found no difference between the two forms of care, but should be treated with caution due to the small sample size.