Enhancing mental well-being in elderly stroke: A case study for comprehensive occupational therapy and relaxation therapy intervention for post stroke depression and anxiety

Abstract

The aim of this case study was to explore the efficacy of holistic occupational therapy intervention combining relaxation therapy to evaluate PSD and anxiety in elder individual. A 49 year old male with PSD and anxiety was taken in the study, the pre and post assessment was carried out using COPM and Hamilton Depression Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Scale and an unstructured interview to know about client’s interest and his expectations from future, his concerns and perspective related to stroke. The client was given 12 weeks intervention for 40 minutes, combining occupational therapy intervention and relaxation therapy. The results demonstrated that a comprehensive occupational therapy intervention combining with relaxation therapy is useful to improve the psychological aspects, motor functions participation in occupation and quality of life. After 12 weeks of intervention the patient was reassessed using COPM,HAM-D and HAM- A which shows remarkable decrease in score of HAM-D and HAM-A and increased satisfaction and performance domains of COPM. It is concluded that combining occupational therapy & relaxation therapy presents a promising avenue for enhancing the mental well-being of elder stroke survivor.