Nottingham 1999

Methods	Randomised controlled trial. Randomisation and allocation concealment (sequentially numbered, opaque sealed envelopes). Randomisation sequence generated from random number tables. Blinded outcome assessor.
Participants	UK 185 patients: 94 intervention, 91 control. Mean age: 74 yrs. 51% male. Median Barthel Index score at baseline: intervention group 18 (IQR 15 to 20); control group 18 (IQR 15 to 20). Clinical definition of stroke. Patients were recruited less than one month after stroke onset from home. Exclusion criteria: more than one month after stroke onset; history of dementia; living in a nursing or residential home; unable to speak or understand English prior to stroke onset.
Interventions	Occupational therapy versus no occupational therapy. Occupational therapy intervention for a period of five months. Frequency of visits arranged between therapist, patient and carer (if appropriate). Mean of 5.8 visits per patient. Aim of therapy was to achieve independence in personal (bathing, dressing, feeding, stair mobility) and instrumental activities of daily living (outdoor mobility, driving a car, using public transport, household chores). Homework tasks were set in between therapy sessions. Occupational therapy provided by a qualified occupational therapist. Single therapist.
Outcomes	Outcomes were recorded at 6 months. Primary outcomes: Nottingham Extended ADL Index; Barthel Index. Secondary outcome measures: London Handicap Scale; General Health Questionnaire 28; Rivermead motor assessment (gross function). Carers: Carer strain Index; General Health Questionnaire 28.
Notes	Follow‐up period used in analysis: 6 months. Randomisation and allocation procedure confirmed with principal investigator. Carers: Carer strain Index; General Health Questionnaire 28.
Risk of bias
Item	Authors' judgement	Description
Allocation concealment?	Yes	A ‐ Adequate