Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Occupational Therapy Assessment of Adult Brain Function

  • Chapter
Rehabilitation

Part of the book series: Human Brain Function ((HBFA))

  • 257 Accesses

Abstract

Historically, occupational therapists have established assessment expertise in the direct observation of their patients’ functional performance of the everyday tasks that define and bring meaning to their lives (Fisher & Short-DeGraff, 1993; Guralnik, Branch, Cummings, & Curb, 1989; Trombly, 1993). Patients are usually referred to occupational therapy primarily because of problems in everyday task performance. The unique contribution of occupational therapy, as a profession, in the study of brain function is at the level of functional task performance, namely, the patient-task-context transaction. In considering function at this level, we bring cognizance of the influence of the factors within the patient (motor, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial skills and impairments) during the patient’s transaction with specific tasks and task contexts. Using a task analysis approach (Faletti, 1984; Fisher & Short-DeGraff, 1993), we also contribute data to the patient and the team about the abilities and behaviors required of a task performer for adequate and safe task performance (task demands). Task analysis also helps us identify the inherent properties and procedures, equipment, and materials involved in critical and representative functional tasks (e.g., dressing, meal preparation, driving) and subtasks (e.g., putting on and taking off a pair of slacks, turning the stovetop burners on and off, and manipulation of adapted steering mechanisms) that the patient wants or needs to perform. In addition, occupational therapists’ professional education enables them to appraise a task context (clinic or naturalistic setting) for its potential to support a patient’s abilities, provide appropriate levels of stimulation, and promote safe task performance. Therefore, task performance is pivotal to all levels of occupational therapy functional assessment and intervention (Holm & Rogers, 1989) and this focus is the occupational therapy profession’s particular contribution to the study of brain function.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Allen, C. K. (1985). Occupational therapy for psychiatric diseases: Measurement and management of cognitive disabilities. Boston: Little, Brown.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, C. K. (1990). Allen cognitive level test manual. Colchester, CT: S & S/Worldwide.

    Google Scholar 

  • Allen, C. K., Kehrberg, K., & Burns, T. (1992). Evaluation instruments. In C. K. Allen, C. A. Earhart, & T. Blue (Eds.), Occupational therapy treatment goals for the physically and cognitively challenged (pp. 31–68). Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). (1986). Work hardening guidelines. American Journal of Occupational Therapy 40, 841–843.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. (Public Law 101–336), 42 U.S.C. § 12101.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnadbttir, G. (1988). A-ONE. Reykjavik Iceland: Arnason.

    Google Scholar 

  • Arnadbttir, G. (1990). The brain and behavior: Assessing cortical dysfunction through activities of daily living. St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asher, I. A. (1989). An annotated index of occupational therapy evaluation tools. Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakeman, R., & Quera, V. (1992). SDIS: A sequential data interchange standard. Behavior Research Methods, Instruments, & Computers, 554–559.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barris, R., Oakley, F., & Kielhofner, G. (1988). The role checklist. In B. J. Hemphill (Ed.), Mental health assessment in occupational therapy (pp. 75–91 ). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bitter, J. A. (1979). History of the rehabilitation program. In J. A. Bitter (Ed.), Introduction to rehabilitation (pp. 15–36 ). St. Louis, MO: Mosby.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blankenship, E. L. (1989). Functional capacity evaluation and work hardening [Seminar syllabus]. Macon, GA: American Therapeutics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christiansen, C. (1993). Continuing challenges of functional assessment in rehabilitation: Recommended changes. American Journal of Occupational Thera!) y, 47, 258–259.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christianson, M. (1995). Assessing an elder’s need for assistance: One technological tool. Generations, 19(1), 54–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (Public Law 98–527). (1984).

    Google Scholar 

  • Doble, S. E., Fisk, J. D., Fisher, A. G., Ritvo, P. G., & Murray, T. J. (1994). Functional competence of community-dwelling persons with multiple sclerosis using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 74, 843–851.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn, W., Brown, C., & McGuigan, A. (1994). The ecology of human performance: A framework for considering the effect of context. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 595–607.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ellexson, M., & Kornblau, B. (1992). Job analysis: What every rehabilitation professional in the U. S.A. should know about the ADA. Miami, FL: ADA Consultants.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faletti, M. V. (1984). Human factors research and functional environments for the aged. In I. Altman, M. P. Lawton, & J. F. Wohlwill (Eds.), Human behavior and environment: Vol 7. Elderly people and the environment (pp. 191–237 ). New York: Plenum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferrucci, J. M., Guralnik, J. M., Marchionni, S., Costanzo, M., Lamponi, M., Salani, B., & Baroni, A. (1992). Self report and performance-assessment of functioning in Italian community dwellers. Paper presented at the 45th annual scientific meeting, Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, A. G. (1994). Assessment of Motor and Process Skills manual (research ed. 70) [Unpublished test manual]. Fort Collins, CO: Colorado State University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, A. G., & Short-DeGraff, M. (1993). Improving functional assessment in occupational therapy: Recommendations and philosophy for change. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 199–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, A. G., Liu, Y., Velozo, C. A., & Pan, A. W. (1992). Cross-cultural assessment of process skills. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 876–885.

    Google Scholar 

  • Florey, L., & Michelman, S. (1982). Occupational role history: A screening tool for psychiatric occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 36, 301–308.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fuhrer, M. J. (Ed.), (1987). Rehabilitation outcomes: Analysis and measurement. Baltimore, MD: Brookes. Guralnik, J. M., Branch, L. G., Cummings, S. R., & Curb, J. D. (1989). Physical performance measures in aging research. Journal of Gerontology, 44, 141–146.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guriand, B., Kuriansky, J., Sharpe, L., Simon, R., Stiller, P., & Birkett, R (1977–78). The Comprehensive Assessment and Referral Evaluation (CARE). International Journal of Aging and Human Development, 8, 9–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heimann, N. E., Allen, C. K., & Yerxa, E. J. (1989). The routine task inventory: A tool for describing the functional behavior of the cognitively disabled. Occupational Therapy Practice, 1, 67–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hohman, M. J., Holm, M. B., Rogers, J. C., Chandler, L. S., & Stone, R. G. Task performance in clinic versus home contexts: A Rasch analysis approach. Unpublished manuscript, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, M. B. (1990, October). The role of allied health in effectiveness research: A response to the case study on low back pain. In Proceedings: Allied health MEDTEP research issues conference. Key West, FL. Washington, DC: Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, M. B., & Rogers, J. C. (1989). The therapist’s thinking behind functional assessment, I I. In C. Royeen (Ed.), Assessment of function: An action guide. Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, M. B., & Rogers, J. C. (1990a). Functional assessment outcomes: differences between settings. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 71, 761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, M. B., & Rogers, J. C. (1990b). Functional performance differences between the health care setting and the home. Gerontologist, 30, 327A.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holm, M. B., & Rogers, J. C. (1991). High, low, or no assistive technology devices for older adults undergoing rehabilitation. International Journal of Technology and Aging, 4, 153–162.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilika, J., & Hoffman, N. G. (1981a). Concurrent validity study on the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills and the Global Assessment Scale. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilika, J., & Hoffman, N. G. (1981b). Reliability study on the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills. Unpublished manuscript.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobs, K. (1992). Integrating the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 into client intervention. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 445–449.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kaufman, L. (1982). Concurrent validity study on the Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills and the Bay Area Functional Performance Evaluation. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Florida, Gainesville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kielhofner, G., Sc Henry:A. (1988a). Development and investigation of the Occupational Performance History Interview. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42, 489–498.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kielhofner, G., & Henry, A. (1988b). Use of an occupational history interview in occupational therapy. In B. J. Hemphill (Ed.), Mental health assessment in occupational therapy (pp. 61–71). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kielhofner, G., Harlan, B., Bauer, D., & Mauer, P. (1986). The reliability of a historical interview with

    Google Scholar 

  • physically disabled respondents. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 40,551–556.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kielhofner, G., Henry, A., & Waylens, D. (1989). A users Guide to the Occupational Performance History Interview. Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • King, P. M. (1993). Outcome analysis of work-hardening programs. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 595–603.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Law, M., Baptiste, S., Carswell-Opzoomer, A., McColl, M. A., Polatajko, H., & Pollack, N. (1991). Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists.

    Google Scholar 

  • Law, M., Polatajko, H., Pollock, N., McColl, M. A., Carswell, A., & Baptiste, S. (1994). Pilot testing of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure: Clinical and measurement issues. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 61, 191–197.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lawton, M. P. (1972). Assessing the competence of older people. In D. P. Kent, R. Kastenbaum, & S.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sherwood (Eds.), Research planning and action for the elderly. New York: Behavioral Publications. Leonardelli, C. A. (1988a). The Milwaukee Evaluation of Daily Living Skills. Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonardelli, C. A. (1988b). The Milwaukee Evaluation of Daily Living Skills (MEDLS). In B. J.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hemphill (Ed.), Mental health assessment in occupational therapy (pp. 151–162).

    Google Scholar 

  • Thorofare, NJ: SLACK. Letts, L., Law, M., Rigby, P., Cooper, B., Stewart, D., & Strong, S. (1994). Person-environment assessments in occupational therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 608–618.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linacre, J. M. (1989). Many faceted Rasch measurement. Chicago: MESA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linacre, J. M., & Wright, B. D. (1994). A user’s guide to BIGSTEPS. Chicago: MESA.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGourty, L. K. (1979). Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills. Seattle, WA: KELS Research.

    Google Scholar 

  • McGourty, L. K. (1988). Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS). In B. J. Hemphill (Ed.), Mental health assessment in occupational therapy (pp. 133–146 ). Thorofare, NJ: SLACK.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medicare and Medicaid Amendments (Public Law 89–97). (1965).

    Google Scholar 

  • Moorhead, L. (1969). The occupational history. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 23, 329–334. Nagi, S. Z. (1977). The disabled and rehabilitation services: A national overview. American Rehabilitation, 2, 26–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Niemeyer, L. O., Jacobs, K., Reynolds-Lynch, K., Bettencourt, C., & Lang, S. (1994). Work hardening: Past, present, and future-the work programs special interest section national work-hardening outcome study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 327–339.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nygerd, L., Bernspang, B., Fisher, A. G., & Winblad, B. (1994). Comparing motor and process ability of persons with suspected dementia in home and clinic settings. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 689–696.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakley, F. (1982). The model of human occupation in psychiatry. Unpublished master’s project, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oakley, F., Kielhofner, G., Barris, R., & Reichler, R. K. (1986). The role checklist: Development and empirical assessment of reliability. Occupational Therapy Journal of Research, 6, 157–169.

    Google Scholar 

  • Park, S., Fisher, A. G., & Velozo, C. A. (1994). Using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills to compare occupational performance between clinic and home settings. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 697–709.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pfeffer, R. I. (1987). The Functional Activities Questionnaire. In I. McDowell & C. Newell (Eds.), Measuring health: A guide to rating scales and questionnaires. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeiffer, E. (1976). Multidimensional functional assessment: The OARS methodology. Durham, NC: Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pollock, N., Baptiste, S., Law, M., McColl, M. A., Opzoomer, A., & Polatajko, H. (1990). Occupational performance measures: A review based on the guidelines for the client-centered practice of occupational therapy. Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 57, 77–81.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reed, K. L. (1992). History of federal legislation for persons with disabilities. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46, 397–408.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Repp, A. C., Karsh, K. G., van Acker, R., Felce, D., & Harman, M. (1989). A computer-based system for collecting and analyzing observational data. Journal of Special Education Technology, 9, 207–216.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C. (1984). Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (PASS) (version 1.0). Unpublished functional performance test. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (1989a). Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills-Revised (PASS-R). Unpublished functional performance test. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (1989b). The therapist’s thinking behind functional assessment, I. In C. Royeen (Ed.), Assessment of function: An action guide,Rockville, MD: American Occupational Therapy Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (1991). Task performance of older adults and low assistive technology devices. International Journal of Technology and Aging, 4, 93–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J. C., & Holm, M. B. (1994). (Performance Assessment of Self Care Skills (PASS). (version 3. 1 ). Unpublished functional performance test. Pittsburgh, PA: University of Pittsburgh.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J., Holm, M. B., Burgio, & McDowell (1993). ADL intervention for nursing home residents with DAT. Unpublished grant application.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers, J., Holm, M. B., Goldstein, G., & Nussbaum, R. D. (1994). Stability and change in functional assessment of patients with geropsychiatric disorders. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 48, 914–918.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rubenstein, L. A., Schairer, C., Wieland, G. D., & Kane, R. (1984). Systematic biases in functional status assessment of elderly adults. Journal of Gerontology, 39, 686–691.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sager, M. A., Dunham, N. C., Schwantes, A., Mecum, L., Halverson, K., & Harlowe, D. (1992). Measurement of activities of daily living in hospitalized elderly: A comparison of self-report and performance-based methods. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 40, 457–462.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serviceman’s Readjustment Act (Public Law 78–346). (1944).

    Google Scholar 

  • Short-DeGraff, M., & Fisher, A. G. (1993). A proposal for diverse research methods and a common research language. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 295–297.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. O. (1993). Computer-assisted functional assessment and documentation. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 988–992.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith-Fess Act (Public Law 66–236). (1920).

    Google Scholar 

  • Social Security Act of 1935 (Public Law 74–271).

    Google Scholar 

  • Soldiers Rehabilitation Act (Public Law 65–178). (1918).

    Google Scholar 

  • Trombly, C. (1993). Anticipating the future: Assessment of occupational function. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 47, 253–257.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • U.S. Department of Labor (1986). Dictionary of occupational titles (4th ed.).

    Google Scholar 

  • Washington, DC: Author. Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Interaction between learning and development. In M. Cole, V. John-Steiner, S. Scribner, & E. Souberman (Eds.), Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes (pp. 79–91). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson, D. S., Allen, C. K., McCormack, G., & Burton, G. (1989). Cognitive disability and routine task behaviors in a community based population with senile dementia. Occupational Therapy Practice, 1, 58–66.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wood, P. H. N. (1980). Appreciating the consequences of disease—The classification of impairments, disabilities, and handicaps. The WHO Chronicle, 34, 376–380.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • World Health Organization (WHO). (1980). International classification of impairments, disabilities, and handicaps: A manual of classification relating to the consequences of disease. Geneva: author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wyrick, J. M., Niemeyer, L. O., Ellexson, M., Jacobs, K., Taylor, S. (1991). Occupational therapy work hardening programs: A demographic study. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 45, 109–112.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zimmerman, S. I., Magaziner, J., Fox, K., & Hebel, J. R. (1992). Activities of daily living: A comparison of residence-based performance and self-report. Paper presented at the 45th annual scientific meeting, Gerontological Society of America, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Therapy Program, College Misericordia, 301 Lake Street, Dallas, Pennsylvania, 18612, USA

    Margo B. Holm

  2. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15213, USA

    Joan C. Rogers

Authors
  1. Margo B. Holm
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Joan C. Rogers
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Highland Drive Division (151R), VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System and University of Pittsburgh, 7180 Highland Drive, 15206-1297, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Gerald Goldstein

  2. School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sue R. Beers

  3. Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, 3811 O’Hara Street, 15213, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

    Sue R. Beers

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Holm, M.B., Rogers, J.C. (1998). Occupational Therapy Assessment of Adult Brain Function. In: Goldstein, G., Beers, S.R. (eds) Rehabilitation. Human Brain Function. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6392-8_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6392-8_2

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-3279-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-6392-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation