A cluster randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention for residents with stroke living in UK care homes (OTCH): study protocol.

Background: The occupational therapy (OT) in care homes study (OTCH) aims to investigate the effect of a targeted course of individual OT (with task training, provision of adaptive equipment, minor environmental adaptations and staff education) for stroke survivors living in care homes, compared to usual care.

Methods/design: A cluster randomised controlled trial of United Kingdom (UK) care homes (n = 90) with residents (n = 900) who have suffered a stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA), and who are not receiving end-of-life care. Homes will be stratified by centre and by type of care provided and randomised (50:50) using computer generated blocked randomisation within strata to receive either the OT intervention (3 months intervention from an occupational therapist) or control (usual care).

Exploring the facets of continence care: a continence survey of care homes for older people in Birmingham.

Aims: This study aimed to explore continence prevalence, knowledge and care in Birmingham care homes, UK.

Background: There is an increasing need to respond to rising numbers of care home residents suffering from incontinence in the UK. A lack of staff knowledge, training and treatment options can make this problematic.

The intra-rater reliability of the balance performance monitor when measuring sitting symmetry and weight-shift activity after stroke in a community setting.

Objective: To examine the intra-rater reliability of sitting symmetry and weight-shift activity measurements in poststroke adults.

Design: An intra-rater reliability study.

Setting: A community setting.