Digital Support Can Enable a Functional Everyday Life After Stroke

When life is suddenly altered by a stroke, the road back to a functional daily life can feel long and uncertain. A new doctoral thesis from Luleå University of Technology now shows that digital support from an occupational therapist can be a crucial tool in regaining control over one’s life.

Ida-Maria Barchéus, occupational therapist and newly awarded Doctor of Occupational Therapy, explores in her thesis “An Active Everyday Life for People with Stroke: Implementation of a New Internet-Based Intervention in Occupational Therapy” how individuals affected by stroke can receive better support in reclaiming a meaningful and functional daily life.

– We know that many people, especially in the later stages after a stroke, do not receive the support they need to resume everyday life under new circumstances. They may manage physically, but still feel that everyday life isn’t quite working. That’s where SEE comes in, says Ida-Maria Barchéus.

SEE stands for Strategies for an Active Everyday Life, and it is an internet-based intervention. It combines digital self-study material with personalised support from an occupational therapist and focuses on helping participants develop strategies to manage their daily lives.

Through a structured programme available on 1177, participants access short, evidence-based videos and reflect on their activity patterns, their balance in daily life, and their needs. With the support of the occupational therapist, they set goals, test strategies, and monitor progress.

– It’s not just about receiving information, but about getting support in discovering how you can influence your own health and actively translate insights into change. It’s a pedagogical model based on the individual’s own motivation and engagement, Barchéus explains.

The project aligns with the ongoing transformation towards Nära vård (Close Care), aiming for more accessible, sustainable, and person-centred healthcare. Barchéus believes that SEE makes it possible to reach individuals at risk of falling through the cracks or who currently lack support. Although the intervention has been tested with stroke survivors, it could also be applied to other chronic conditions. Everyday activities influence the sense of wellbeing in cases such as mental health issues or chronic pain.

The occupational therapists involved in the project saw SEE as a tool that enhanced their professional role. The digital approach enabled them to support clients in new ways.

– The therapists described it as a renewal of occupational therapy – an opportunity to take a broader approach to the challenges of everyday life and help clients find their own paths, says Barchéus.

The thesis shows that the SEE intervention has clear positive effects. Clients reported increased self-awareness and new tools to manage their daily routines. SEE helped them understand their needs, reduce stress, and move forward in life at a sustainable pace.

Despite the promising results, some barriers remain, and more efforts are needed for wider implementation. Some participants declined to take part in SEE, possibly because they didn’t fully understand the intervention or felt uncertain about using the technology.

– Receiving rehabilitation via the internet is still new and represents a shift for both patients and healthcare professionals. We need to get better at explaining what SEE is and what occupational therapy can offer. It’s about making everyday life work and providing support that truly meets people’s needs, says Ida-Maria Barchéus.