10918 Linking Occupation, Health, and OT Through an Outcomes Research Process / Contracture Management and Prevention

Course overview

Linking Occupation, Health, and OT through an Outcomes Research Process: Discussion of the relationship between occupation, health, and occupational therapy as it relates to the outcomes research process including a historical view of occupational therapy, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) research agenda, and the four steps of the outcomes research process: assessment, treatment write-up, experimenting, and compiling and using the evidence. Indicates the AOTA occupational profile, analysis of weakness in systematic review, as well as article orientation including the seven article domains of physical activity, work, instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), religious activities, social activities, leisure, and sleep. Contracture Management and Prevention: Discussion of contractures. Focuses on what causes contractures including improper positioning, decreased activity participation and certain physical conditions including stroke, traumatic brain injury (TBI) and burns, as well as a timeline for contracture development in each. Describes how contractures can cause decreased range of motion (ROM), pain, and the breakdown of the skin. Examines barriers to early mobilization for the patient including pain, patient and family education, comorbidities, and other issues; compares contractures caused by burns and those caused by neurological issues such as Parkinson’s disease. Examines prevention techniques including splinting, positioning, range of motion, additional intervention techniques, and techniques of the future. Discusses functional activities for the upper body including the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger, and pediatric functional activities. Examines functional group therapy including cooking groups and the Nintendo Wii study. Discusses the role of occupational therapy in contracture management and case studies.