Occupational Performance Issues of Children with Hemiplegia after Acquired Brain Injury

Abstract

Aims: This retrospective, exploratory study aimed to examine the categories and frequency of occupational performance issues (OPIs) identified by children (or their caregivers), who participated in a two-week, group-based modified constraint induced movement therapy program, Helping Hand. The effect of participant age on the OPIs identified was also explored.

Methods: OPIs were identified using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for 46 Helping Hand participants, prior to program participation. Descriptive statistics including the frequency of identified OPIs were used to categorize the 236 OPIs into occupational areas. Descriptive statistics were also used to determine how the categories of OPIs and relative frequencies differed based on participant age.

Results: The identified OPIs were diverse, and differed in frequency of identification and level of specificity. The OPIs identified varied based on participant age, with age groups showing developmentally appropriate differences in OPIs.

Conclusions: Identification of OPIs should balance client-centredness with probing for specificity, in order for OPIs to be understood by clinicians. This will guide future program development and interventions that target age-appropriate occupational priorities.

Keywords:

• Goal-setting
• pediatrics
• occupation
• constraint-induced movement therapy

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all clients who participated in Helping Hand, and their families, who made this study possible. We would also like to thank the Concussion Center and Brain Injury Rehabilitation Team at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.