Approach to Sexuality From Occupational Therapy in People With Acquired Brain Injury in Subacute Stage: Study Protocol

Project title: Occupational Therapy Approach to Sexuality in People with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) in Subacute Stage. Design: Qualitative study with a phenomenological approach. Context of Study: The relevance of the occupational therapy approach to sexuality regarding people with acquired brain injury in the subacute stage. Objectives: General objective: Explore the perceptions of people with ABI, who are in a subacute situation, and their relatives and partners, about their assessment of the relevance of the approach toward sexuality during their occupational therapy intervention. Specific objectives: Describe and analyze the perspectives of users, family members, and partners about the importance of this activity and its relevance in daily life; what is included in the approach to sexuality; the differences that may arise between the perspectives of the participants according to gender; and the differences that may arise between the perspectives on the subject by age groups. Study Population and the Total Number of Participants: The study population is made up of people with ABI in the subacute stage who attend occupational therapy at the physical rehabilitation unit of a hospital in Spain, and their families and partners. The size of the sample is conditioned by the qualitative study’s design. The number of participants will be established when theoretical saturation of the data is reached. First results are now available.

Download Full-text

In the Groove: An Evaluation to Explore a Joint Music Therapy and Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children with Acquired Brain Injury

Voices A World Forum for Music Therapy ◽

10.15845/voices.v16i1.851 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Karen Twyford ◽

Samantha Watters

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Music Therapy ◽

Self Regulation ◽

Intervention Group ◽

Outpatient Service ◽

Acquired Brain Injury ◽

Paediatric Hospital ◽

Occupational Therapy Intervention ◽

Therapy Intervention

An acquired brain injury in children disrupts brain development and neural pathways, which may have serious implications on occupational role performance. Assessment and management of children with neurological disorders is complex and treatment requires the engagement of a multidisciplinary team. Increasing evidence indicates that both occupational therapists and music therapists work effectively towards similar goals with children with acquired brain injury. This evaluation investigated the effectiveness of a joint music therapy and occupational therapy group in promoting the development of self-regulation skills in children with an acquired brain injury or neurological condition, as part of a pilot project at a regional paediatric hospital in Australia. Six participants, aged five and half to ten years, were recruited through the acquired brain injury and neurology outpatient service at a regional paediatric hospital. Children underwent occupational therapy assessment and were identified to have sensory processing difficulties that negatively impacted on the child’s occupational roles of "friend" and "student." The intervention group, In the Groove, received seven, weekly, one-hour sessions, held for one hour on a weekly basis. Each session involved a variety of joint music therapy and occupational therapy activities, specifically planned to achieve intervention goals. A range of standardised occupational therapy and music therapy outcome measures were used, as well as non-standardised measures. All children received positive outcomes following intervention for at least one outcome measure. The findings indicate that joint music therapy and occupational therapy intervention may provide children with acquired brain injury and neurological impairment opportunities to develop self-regulation skills.

Download Full-text