Exploring the data of neuro OT support for stroke survivors
What the data tells us
We work hard to inspire hope and make a positive difference to the individuals we support. When our data reflects these objectives, it confirms the impact of our work as neurological occupational therapists.
As part of our commitment to evidence-based practice, we decided to look at a randomly selected group of individuals* who had a stroke and had been referred specifically to our income protection vocational rehabilitation service.
What we discovered when focusing on this cohort is a compelling case that neurological occupational therapy not only improves or stabilises the challenges and symptoms these individuals are facing, but how it also enhances quality of life.
Understanding stroke in the UK
Before we look at Krysalis statistics, it's important to understand stroke and the way it affects hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Stroke remains a major health concern in the UK, with the Stroke Association revealing 100,000 people experience a stroke annually, and that there are currently 1.4 million stroke survivors living in the UK. This equates to one stroke every five minutes, which is not only shocking, but also an ongoing challenge for individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and employers. [1]
It's been enlightening to understand my employee's neurological fatigue after their stroke. The meetings with Krysalis helped me to know what my employee was experiencing and how I can support them at work. 
Employer of beneficiary
The 2025 Sentinel Stroke National Audit Programme (SSNAP) reinforces these statistics, capturing data from 92,414 stroke patients admitted to hospital between April 2024 and March 2025. [2]
While the audit covers a range of topics, from the medical conditions individuals suffered before a stroke, to the increasing delays in pre-hospital response times, it also highlights the pressing need for community-based and vocational rehabilitaion services such as neurological occupational therapy.
By emphasising these services, the findings underline the importance of tailored support that extends beyond hospital care and addresses the long-term needs of stroke survivors.
According to the audit, 66.6% of these patients were discharged to a stroke/neurology specific community rehabilitation service after their initial hospital intervention. SSNAP recommends increasing access to integrated community stroke services to significantly improve patient outcomes.
At Krysalis, we know that easier access to earlier intervention means more stroke survivors receive more specialised rehabilitation, tailored to accelerate recovery and enhance independence while reducing hospital re-admission.
Early intervention equips the individual with coping skills, social-emotional abilities, and resilience, which helps prevent problems from escalating and allows for quicker, more effective support.
Krysalis neurological occupational therapist, Anna F
Krysalis outcomes
While we know that every stroke journey is unique, the following data consistently demonstrates the positive impact of neurological occupational therapy across a diverse range of individuals.
Strong and positive outcomes were observed across both cognitive and psychological measures that are essential not only to an individual's well-being but also their vocational readiness:
- Memory: Approximately 90% of individuals showed stability or improvement
- Anxiety: Around 85% experienced reduced or stable anxiety levels
- Mood/Depression: Nearly 88% demonstrated improved or stable mood
Additionally, over 80% of stroke survivors reported impovements in their neurological fatigue, which is often the most persistent and limiting post-stroke symptom.
This improvement due to neurological occupational therapy is especially significant for individuals working towards sustainable employment and daily routine management.
Maintaining or improving independence after a stroke is often central to an individual's hope for the future during their rehabilitation journey. Our data revealed that approximately 80% of individuals also showed improvement or stability in both their mobility and their self-care abilities.
These functional gains demonstrate an individual's ability to manage daily tasks and workplace demands effectively.
Why Krysalis support matters
Stroke remains one of the most significant health challenges in the UK, but recovery outcomes are greatly enhanced when individuals receive timely and specialised support. These statistics show the meaningful impact that targeted vocational rehabilitation can make across cognitive, emotional, and functional symptoms.
Krysalis supports stroke survivors to reclaim their independence, build their confidence, and re-engage with the roles and responsibilities that matters to them most.
*These figures are drawn from anonymised internal clincial outcome data collected as part of routine rehabilitation review processes. They reflect outcomes within this cohort and do not imply identical results for all individuals, as every rehabilitation journey is unique.
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References
[1] https://www.stroke.org.uk/stroke/statistics
Last updated: 16th February 2026