Occupational Therapy Management Strategies for Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome: Scoping Review

Abstract

With opioid use in North America rising, there is a growing incidence of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Infants with NAS experience withdrawal signs that interfere with their occupational performance in activities of daily living. This scoping review aims to identify the non-pharmacologic interventions currently used in the treatment of infants with NAS that fall within the scope of the occupational therapy profession. Searching three databases, articles were independently reviewed by two authors to meet defined inclusion criteria. Forty-five articles were included, and the interventions identified and organized according to the Person-Environment-Occupation Model. The non-pharmacologic interventions identified fall within the scope of the occupational therapy profession. Initiating occupational therapy services in an acute care setting may have the potential to improve occupational performance and engagement for these infants from an early age.

Keywords:

• Developmental outcome
• early intervention
• neonatal intensive care unit
• neonates
• withdrawal

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Samantha A Oostlander

Samantha Ann Oostlander, BSc, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.), Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada

Jillian A Falla

Jillian Anne Falla, BScH, MScOT, OT Reg. (Ont.), Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada

Kimberly Dow

Kimberly Dow, MD, Department of Paediatrics/Neonatology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada

Sandra Fucile

Sandra Fucile, PhD, OTR, OT Reg. (Ont.), Department of Paediatrics/Neonatology, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON, Canada