Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Dr. Rhonda Roed

Abstract

Introduction: Over 1 in 3 people are affected by neurological conditions, making it the leading cause of illness and disability worldwide (World Health Organization, 2024). Patients are often referred to inpatient rehabilitation to increase independence and functional recovery. There is a need to address psychosocial factors within this setting thus, The Missing Link: Integrating Psychosocial Factors into Neuro OT was created.

Methodology : The capstone is guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), which emphasizes the dynamic interaction between the person and their environment and its influence on psychosocial factors, personal identity, and competence. A comprehensive needs review was completed through a thorough literature review and on-site needs assessment helped guide the creation and implementation of the toolkit. 

Results: The needs assessment identified evidence-based strategies for addressing psychosocial factors, enhancing identity, competence, and meaningful engagement in inpatient rehabilitation. Findings from the comprehensive needs assessment informed the development of an occupation-based toolkit, providing occupational therapists with tools to facilitate psychosocial aspects into care for successful integration across the continuum of care for individuals recovering from neurological conditions.

Conclusion: The developed toolkit provides numerous ways to integrate psychosocial factors into the rehabilitation continuum of care. The overall goal of this toolkit is to increase comfort and knowledge regarding psychosocial factors in a non-mental health setting. By integrating psychosocial factors, it is anticipated that it will improve outcomes and patient’s overall quality of life.

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