Leisure Occupations for Adults with Physical Disabilities: A Guide for Occupational Therapy Practice
Date of Award
2017
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Jan Stube
Keywords
Adult; Leisure Activities; Occupational Therapy -- methods; Paraplegia -- rehabilitation; Quadriplegia -- rehabilitation
Abstract
Problem: Limited research is available addressing active leisure participation and how leisure participation affects quality of life (QOL) of individuals following physical disability. Research shows a correlation between adaptive leisure participation and higher rated life satisfaction, community integration, perceived competence, and reduced negative mood states (Chun et. al., 2008; Lundberg et al., 2011a). There are currently no occupational therapy assessments for clients with physical disabilities having a goal of participation in active leisure occupations.
Purpose: To provide information and resources to occupational therapists and clients with paraplegia or lower tetraplegia spinal cord injury (SCI) in order to enhance participation in active leisure occupation.
Methodology: A review of literature was conducted utilizing scholarly databases such as CINAHL, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus. It was evident that there is limited research discussing the role of occupational therapy in leisure participation advocacy. From the review of literature and synthesis with the Person-Environment-Occupation model (Law et al., 1996), the following product was developed and is ready for clinical application.
Results: A Guide for Occupational Therapy Practice in Active Leisure Occupations for Adults with Paraplegia and Lower Tetraplegia was developed to encourage active leisure participation for the target population. Product sections include educational materials, Adaptive Active Leisure Occupational Therapy Evaluation and Intervention Planning, and a case study example. Additional resources are provided for adaptive equipment and adaptive programming.
Conclusion: This guide was developed by the authors to address the need for active leisure assessment and intervention planning for clients with physical disability. Occupational therapists are well equipped with professional skills and competencies (i.e., manual skills, clinical reasoning, interpersonal skills, and advocacy tools) which will help to meet the needs of this population. To our knowledge, there are no other tools that match the scope of information and resources that are provided in this guide.
Recommended Citation
Glatt, Kelsey and Perish, Tracy, "Leisure Occupations for Adults with Physical Disabilities: A Guide for Occupational Therapy Practice" (2017). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 354.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/354