Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP)

Abstract

CO-OP is a child-centred, cognitive based intervention, focused on enabling children to achieve their functional goals. It has been developed over the last nine years through a series of systematic studies that have specified the treatment protocol and evaluated its effect. Initially CO-OP was explored in two series of single case experimental studies. Subsequently, an informal follow-up study and a detailed analysis of the video-taped sessions of the approach were completed. Based on information from these studies, the approach was refined, key features elucidated and the protocol was specified. Next, a pilot randomized clinical trial was completed. The trial was conducted to determine how best to approach a full scale randomized clinical trial on the effectiveness of CO-OP, relative to the current therapeutic approach. Finally, a retrospective chart audit was carried out to examine the cumulative evidence on the effectiveness of CO-OP in improving the performance of children with DCD. This paper presents a detailed summary of these five studies and discusses the implications of the findings.

Key Words:

• Evidence-based practice
• motor learning disability
• cognitive intervention
• DCD

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jennifer J. Macnab

Michael Lepp, PT, is in private practice, Associate Instructor of the Upledger Institute, and Clinical Instructor, Case Western Reserve University School of Dentistry, Cleveland, OH.

Marie McKenzie, MS, OTR, is in private practice. She was Coordinator of Occupational Therapy at Scottish Rite Hospital at the time of this study.

Heather Miller, MS, OTR/L, is currently employed by Madison County Educational Service Center, providing therapy services to the county's pre-schools. This research was completed in partial fulfillment of the requirements of an MS degree at Ohio State University.

Linda Viscardis, BA, is Team Leader and Community Development Worker, Peterborough Family Enrichment Centre. She is Co-Founder of P.R.O.S.P.E.C.T.S., a support and advocacy group for families who have children with special needs.

Debra Stewart, BSc, OT(C), is Occupational Therapist, Erinoak, Serving Young People with Physical Disabilities, Mississauga, ON, and Clinical Lecturer, School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University.

Janette McDougall, MA, was Project Coordinator

Kip Husted, BEd, was a parent representative on the study team.

Aviva Yochman, MA, OTR, was a student in the School of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel at the time of this study.

Imelda Burgman, MA OTR/L BCP, completed her MA in Movement Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University, and was an Occupational Therapist at The Shield Institute, Bronx, NY. She is currently Lecturer, Habilitation, School of Community Health, Faculty of Health Studies, Charles Sturt University, Albury, N.S.W., Australia.