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Daneeya Sheeraz
Apr 7, 20234 min read

Occupational Therapy: Helping You Regain Control and Independence

Updated: Mar 23


Outline


Introduction

Occupational therapy is a course of treatment for patients of all ages with conditions, diseases, pains, disabilities, injuries and other ailments which make carrying out daily life functions difficult for them. Occupational therapy, carried out by a trained occupational therapist in around 45-minute sessions five times a week, helps these patients regain the ability to carry out said tasks. It also enables them to live a more independent, safe, and better quality of life.


Source: Adventist Health

This therapy is highly specialized for the patient to cater to their specific needs. This may include assistance in tasks such as playing sports, self-care activities, domestic chores, eating independently, bathing or showering, getting dressed, and more.



The Role of Occupational Therapy in Neurorehabilitation

According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, one person is subject to a stroke every 40 seconds in the United States. Furthermore, there are currently 700,000 people living with brain tumors in the US. What can occupational therapy do to help?

Source: American Stroke Association

Neurorehabilitation (or neurological rehabilitation) is a form of treatment for neurological conditions, disorders, maladies, and injuries. This includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech and swallowing therapy, and language therapy.

Occupational therapists working with patients with neurological conditions often have a broad range of focus due to the numerous effects brain injuries and conditions have on a person ranging from cognitive, sensory, and behavioral defects to physical disabilities.

Occupational therapy in such cases helps patients particularly in regaining proper upper body functions, like those of their hands and arms. It also caters to their behavioral and cognitive changes and helps them adapt to their homes, caregivers, and families likewise.


How Does Occupational Therapy Help Patients Recovering from Stroke and Brain Tumours?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. This can lead to brain damage, paralysis, and disability. Therefore, occupational therapy can help patients recover faster and deal with mental and behavioral changes as well.

In the case of brain tumors, the tumor may cause brain damage while invading brain tissues. Brain damage may also occur during the surgical removal of these tumors. The damage to physical, sensory, and mental abilities can be rectified with the help of occupational therapy. Initial occupational therapy starts in an inpatient setting after surgery and may continue in an outpatient or home setting after the patient has been discharged.

Occupational therapists take several steps to ensure the patient receives appropriate treatment. Firstly, they learn about the patient’s lifestyle and identify areas of difficulty according to long-term needs. In stroke patients, these areas of difficulty can range from vision, memory, and physical abilities to anxiety and depression. After brain tumor removal, patients may have a hard time doing everyday tasks which the therapist will pinpoint.

Source: Communikids

The occupational therapist then helps the patient by devising a plan to overcome these hardships. This may include breaking these tasks down into simpler portions. This allows them to thoroughly practice each activity. They will also teach family and caregivers how to better provide for the patient. The therapist will give psychological support too, or refer the patient to a professional who can. Occupational therapists will also carry out home visits to ensure the patient’s living conditions are appropriate and safe for their disabilities. After evaluation, they will make suggestions for changes accordingly, to make daily chores and actions less demanding.

Occupational therapists will guide patients through things like washing dishes, opening packages, using tools, tying laces, and using their computers. Often, primarily in the case of stroke patients, these actions will have to be learned one-handedly.

Source: National Cancer Institute

People who have undergone brain surgery or have had strokes may encounter dysphagia, which is difficulty in chewing and swallowing. Posterior fossa and brainstem tumors can also lead to dysphagia. This creates a risk of malnutrition and aspiration (food enters the lungs instead of the digestive tract, often leading to pneumonia). To help such patients, a swallow study may be taken. Occupational therapists will then help them practice regaining muscle control and strength.


Current Research in Neurorehabilitation with the Aid of Occupational Therapy

BrainQ and Kessler's researchers have come together in a national trial to improve recovery after stroke. This involves the use of an electromagnetic stimulation device attached to the patient’s head, coupled with both occupational therapy and physical therapy. These sessions have produced good outcomes thus far.

In a recent study published by Stroke, people with severe strokes often undergo large amounts of rehabilitation therapy. However, many more people are not receiving proper rehabilitation therapy in the critical period of recovery. Others are not receiving long-term therapy. Most patients receive between 6 and 8 sessions in the 3 months succeeding their stroke but a maximum of 1.5 sessions in the year after.

Patients also received more therapy while they were in an inpatient setting. Therapy was reduced or discontinued after they were discharged. Race also plays a part. According to the findings, Hispanic patients underwent the least amount of rehabilitation therapy.

These studies show the importance of rehabilitation therapy such as occupational therapy in the quicker, more successful recovery and well-being of stroke and brain tumor patients. These sessions are key to helping patients become independent and improve their quality of life once more.


Sources


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