Takarada H, Honke T. Short-term effects of goal setting by rehabilitation professionals on aspects of psychology: a non-randomized controlled trial involving recovering stroke survivors. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2025; 16: 1-8.

Objective: In rehabilitation, goals expected to have an effect on aspects of psychology, such as promoting participation in the program and reducing anxiety, are set between the patient and the therapist. This study aimed to compare and test the short-term effects of goal setting on such psychological aspects in an experimental group, in which the therapist selected the highest priority goals proposed by the patient, and a control group, in which the goals were proposed by the therapist.

Methods: Between October 2023 and March 2024, 88 stroke survivors were admitted to the Kaifukuki Rehabilitation Ward, of whom 32 met the inclusion criteria. The patients were divided into two groups: a goal-setting group in which the patient chose the highest priority goal (experimental group: n = 17) and a goal-setting group in which the patient agreed with the goal proposed by the therapist (control group: n = 15). The primary outcome was treatment engagement in rehabilitation, and the secondary outcomes were anxiety/depression and mental health scores.

Results: Outcomes improved in both groups after goal setting. Between-group comparisons showed a significant improvement in treatment engagement in the experimental group (p < 0.001). The sample size required for the randomized controlled trial was 46 participants in each group.

Conclusion: In the short term, treatment engagement was influenced by the patient’s consideration and choice of priority goals.