Table 1 Different components of the ADL assessment and intervention tested in the RCT study: activity, content and examples

Maintaining roles

• Patient informs about family pattern

• Roles in the patient’s family

• Occupational therapist advises patient in maintaining roles despite illness

• Using assistive devices

Compensatory strategies

• Ergonomics

• Advice on work techniques

• Information about energy-saving methods

• Assistive devices

• Delivery

• Instruction

• Supervision on use

Cooperation between occupational therapist and other health professionals (without patient being present)

• Practical matters in the departments

• Conferences

• Arranging help in patient’s home after discharge

• Telephone calls

• Referral to local specialists for support and treatment, i.e. GP, physiotherapist, occupational therapist

• Planning the intervention

Training daily activities

• Personal activities

• Dressing

(occupational therapist observes and guides the patient)

• Bathing

• Occupational and household activities

• Work

(occupational therapist observes and guides the patient)

• Housework

• Leisure activities

• Swimming

(occupational therapist observes and guides the patient)

• Watching TV

Home modifications

• Adapting the environment to meet the patient’s needs.

• Refurnishing

• Installation of ramps

• Installation of raised toilet seat

• Rearranging the room functionality

Prioritising daily activities

• Occupational therapist assists the patient in prioritising daily activities

• Receiving assistance with some activities

• Sustaining self-reliance in the most important activities

Upper-limb orthoses

• Adjustment

• Hand orthoses

• Supply

• Lymphedema gloves

Facial Oral Tract Therapy (FOTT)

• Specific analysis of difficulties handling eating procedures

• Cleaning teeth

• Posture, movement, sensation

• Eating

• Exercises

• Drinking

Instruction and self-training

• Instruction in transfer

• Accessibility

• Mobility

• Self-training programmes

• ADL training

• Physical training

• FOTT exercises

Rehabilitation plan for intervention in primary health care

• Rehabilitation plan is made in cooperation between patient and occupational therapist and sent to therapists in primary health care

• Functional level at time of discharge

• Rehabilitation goals