Nottingham 2001

Methods	Cluster randomised controlled trial. Randomisation was carried out independently by a statistician. Homes were grouped into four strata according to their type (residential, nursing, or both); funding source (private or local authority) and setting (urban or rural). Within each stratum pairs of homes were allocated randomly, using computer generated random numbers. The randomisation was done by an independent statistician, who informed the trial manager of allocation at the time the therapist went in; the therapist and assessors had no involvement in this.
Participants	UK 12 nursing homes 118 residents: 63 intervention, 55 control. Mean age: 87.5 yrs. 19% male. Mean Barthel Index score at baseline: intervention group mean 10.1 (SD 5.68); control group mean 9.49 (SD 5.2). Definition of stroke: unclear. Inclusion criteria: Barthel < 15.
Interventions	Occupational therapy versus standard care. Occupational therapy included activities of daily living practice, mobility practice, assessment and goal setting, communication with residents, staff, relatives and other agencies, adaptive equipment and treatment of impairments. Mean number of visits 8.5, mean total time spent with each participant 4.7 hours.
Outcomes	Outcomes were recorded at 3 and 6 months. Primary outcome: Barthel Index.
Notes	Follow‐up period used in analysis: 6 months.
Risk of bias
Item	Authors' judgement	Description
Allocation concealment?	Yes	A ‐ Adequate