Evidence for your Practice: An Occupation-Based Approach to Management of Concussion

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Article: Finn, C. (2019). An Occupation-Based Approach to Management of Concussion: Guidelines for Practice. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 7(2).

Purpose: To provide OTs with a theoretical framework, an occupation-based model and a guideline to support clinical practice in concussion rehabilitation.

The Framework: Aims to integrate the foundations of the CMOP-E while also incorporating the current best evidence and guidelines on the management of concussion.           

The Model:

                                                                       

Recommendations for Practice:

• A client interview should be conducted to identify the factors that are impacting the client’s engagement.
• Numerous assessments (ie: COPM, RPQ, APMS, ect) are recommended to evaluate the client’s perceived occupational performance, the severity of their symptoms, their QOL, and possible sleep disturbances.
• Current best practice is a balanced and gradual return to activity.
• Intervention should be facilitated through environmental modifications, assistive technology, activity modifications, and strategies for pacing and energy conservation.             

Bottom line for OT:

• OTs have the skills and knowledge to provide a client-centered, occupation-based, and engagement-focused assessment and intervention.
• The framework, model, and guideline presented provides OTs with the tools to support their clients’ gradual re-engagement in meaningful activities.

The article can be found here: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ojot/vol7/iss2/11/

Post by Brandy Virgin, fieldwork student with CAOT-BC

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