Eligible studies were randomised controlled trials (RCTs), case-control and cohort studies of the effects of vocational rehabilitation programmes on return to work rates in stroke survivors of working age (18 to 65). Vocational rehabilitation was defined as a specific programme of medical, psychological, social, physical and/or occupational rehabilitation aiming to return the patient to work or availability for work. Return to work was defined as returning to a vocation including employment, unpaid work, leisure, unemployment and retirement.
Study settings included: inpatient, community, outpatient or medical centre, where reported. Patient age, gender, intervention content and duration were not reported by all studies. All trials that reported participant gender included more males than females. Mean ages, where stated, ranged from 44 to 68.9 across the study treatment groups. A variety of professionals were involved in delivering the interventions. Across the studies, definition of return to work varied.
Two reviewers independently assessed articles for inclusion in the review.