Synonyms
Activity therapy; Recreation therapy; Therapeutic recreation
Definition
Recreational therapy is a treatment to restore, remediate, or rehabilitate functioning, as well as promote health and wellness and reduce or eliminate activity limitations and restrictions caused by illness or disability, thru purposeful avocational activity that is pleasing to the patient. Goals may also include reduction or elimination of the symptoms of an illness or disabling condition. Interventions are aimed at maintaining the well-being of the patient on physical, mental, and emotional levels. Information provision, enhancement of existing skills, and facilitation of new skills are primary components. Interventions include creative arts therapies; sports; therapeutic engagement with pets, horses, and other animals; and adventure and challenge programs.
Current Knowledge
Description: Provided by therapists across a variety of settings, recreational therapy continues to grow as a profession to meet...
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References and Readings
American Therapeutic Recreation Association. (1999). Promoting independence in life activities. Retrieved on June 13, 2008 at from http://www.atra-tr.org/aboutarticle.htm
Bedini, L. A., & Wu, Y. (1994). A methodological review of research in therapeutic recreation journal from 1986 to 1990. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 28(2), 87–98.
Howard, D. (2007). Review of recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF-based diagnosis and treatment. Therapeutic Recreation Journal, 41(2), 158–163.
Porter, H. R., & Burlingame, J. (2006). Recreational therapy handbook of practice: ICF-based diagnosis and treatment. Washington, DC: Idyll Arbor.
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Rose, J., Norris, V.A. (2018). Recreational Therapy. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_423
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_423
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