Although advances in stroke care have been shown to improve functional outcomes and survival, evidence suggests that stroke survivors continue to report restricted participation and dissatisfaction with life after returning home. There remains a need to identify ways to improve participation after stroke, considering the person within their context. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) provides a valuable framework that can be useful for categorising key components associated with participation. The two parts of the ICF -(a) Functioning and Disability and (b) Contextual Factors -encourage consideration of the functions/body structures, activity and participation, and personal and environmental factors, respectively. Previous research has identified links between body functions, structures and activity, with increasing attention being given to the ways in which these link with participation. Although some of the components influencing participation poststroke are well defined, there is a need to further develop our understanding of how personal and environmental factors may affect participation. In this article, stroke literature is categorised using the ICF and a range of personal and environmental factors are investigated as potential contributors to levels of participation poststroke. This article concludes that research investigating contextual factors and their interactions with participation is warranted.

OBJECTIVE. To explore the efficacy of low- and high-stretch compression bandaging for edema management in the stroke-affected upper limb. METHOD. A single-case, ABA-design study was conducted with 8 participants alternately allocated to receive low- or high-stretch bandaging. Edema was measured with circumferential tape at four specified points from the hand to the mid-forearm. All measurements were represented graphically for visual analysis, and celeration lines were calculated to indicate the degree of slope in each phase. RESULTS. Visual analysis indicated fluctuating edema volume in the first baseline phase, decreasing edema volume in the intervention phase, and increasing edema volume in the second baseline phase. The results did not clearly distinguish between the two bandaging groups. CONCLUSION. Compression bandaging may have benefits in the management of edema after stroke. Further research is required to identify factors contributing to the long-term maintenance of reductions gained after compression bandaging.

This study has resulted in the development of a preliminary version of an ACS for adults aged 18-64 years. Further work is required to determine the psychometric properties of the tool.

Participation in UQDRIVE had a positive and significant effect on the issues of the participants. The results highlight that although all participants stated issues related predominantly to practical concerns, there were trends in the issues identified by the drivers and retired drivers that were consistent with their current phase of the driving cessation process.

People with stroke described the therapy they received in both the hospital and home as beneficial. The results support the addition of the home-based inpatient program, STRENGTH, to the current rehabilitation system, as it appeared to realign the expectations of people with stroke and better prepare them for their discharge home.