OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

 Concept of Occupational Therapy -Definition -Aims -Scope

Definition “Occupational Therapy is the art and science of directing man’s participation in selected tasks to restore, reinforce and enhance performance, facilitate learning of those skills and functions essential for adaptation and productivity, diminish or correct pathology, and to promote and maintain health.(American Occupational Therapy Association, 1972)

History  In the early years:- OT was limited to the field of chronic illness-Mental illness, Tuberculosis, Leprosy etc.  Intermediate years:- The contribution of OT was expanded to the fields of psychiatric and physical illness. During the world wars, OT became an importants means for restoring physical and mental functioning of the patient.

 Now OT has become a method of treating persons suffering from effects of various impairments.  OT was introduced in India by Mrs. Kamala V. Nimbkar in  The first OT Dept. as well as training centre in India was started by her at the King Edward Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.

General Aims of OT The primary concern of OT is to increase the pt’s ability to perform functions required for a meaningful life. 1)To facilitate the development of performance components of the patient. - Neuro-muscular development - Sensory integrative development - Psychological development - Social development - Cognitive development

2) To enhance independence skills of the patient. -Self-care activities or ADL - Home/School/Work activities - Play/Leisure activities

3) To modify the environment with which the patient interacts - Architecture - Furniture - Clothing - Personal care equipment - Household appliances - Work tools

Special aims of OT for persons with MR  To facilitate development of proper position of the body.  To provide sensory stimulation.  To enhance hand functions.  To enhance gross motor functions.  To facilitate development of perceptual-motor functions.

 To reinforce social development.  To enhance independence skills.  To provide vocational training.  To correct maladapted behaviors.  To prescribe extrinsic adaptations. Conti…

Proper Positioning of the Body

Sensory Stimulation

Hand Functions

Gross Motor Activities

Perceptual-motor Functions

Social Development

Independent skills

EXTRINSIC ADAPTATION Assistive devices or Adaptive Devices

Splints  Splint is a rigid support given to any part of the body. Functions of Splint: a.To protect the injured part and thus reduce pain. b.To strengthen any weak muscle and thus assist to carry out its action. c.To prevent formation of contractures and deformities. Two Categories of Splints:  Static and Dynamic Splint

Static Splint:  Does not have any movable part.  Does not allow movement in concerned joint of the body.  Used for protecting injured part and thus for reducing pain.  Used for preventing formation of contractures and deformities.

 Cock-up Splint  Wrist Drop Splint  Foot-Drop Splint

Knuckle bender Splint

Dynamic Splint:  Has movable part or parts.  Allows the movement in concerned joint.  Used for strengthening weak muscles and thus assists them to carry out actions.  Used for preventing formation of contractures and deformities.

Scope of OT a) Hospitals b) Centers c) Special Schools d) Homes e) Work Shops