Implementation Intentions for Self-Selected Occupational Therapy Goals: Two Case Reports

Mary Vining Radomski; Gordon Giles; Marsha Finkelstein; Jenny Owens; Mark Showers; Joette Zola

doi:10.5014/ajot.2018.023135

Implementation Intentions for Self-Selected Occupational Therapy Goals: Two Case Reports

Am J Occup Ther. 2018 May/Jun;72(3):7203345030p1-7203345030p6. doi: 10.5014/ajot.2018.023135.

Authors

Mary Vining Radomski¹, Gordon Giles², Marsha Finkelstein³, Jenny Owens⁴, Mark Showers⁵, Joette Zola⁶

Affiliations

¹ Mary Vining Radomski, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Senior Scientific Adviser, Courage Kenny Research Center, Minneapolis, MN; mary.radomski@allina.com.
² Gordon Giles, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Samuel Merritt University, Oakland, CA.
³ Marsha Finkelstein, MS, is Senior Scientific Adviser, Courage Kenny Research Center, Minneapolis, MN.
⁴ Jenny Owens, OTD, OTR/L, is Research Occupational Therapist, Oak Ridge Associated Universities, Oak Ridge, TN.
⁵ Mark Showers, MSOT, OTR/L, is Lead Occupational Therapist, Fort Campbell Intrepid Spirit, Fort Campbell, KY.
⁶ Joette Zola, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapist, Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Minneapolis, MN.

Abstract

Objective: We evaluated the feasibility of an intervention combining metacognitive strategy instruction (MSI) with training in implementation intentions for adults with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Implementation intentions are written premade decision statements specifying when, where, and how goal behaviors are to be enacted.

Method: Two participants with mTBI received a six-session intervention that included setting a daily implementation intention for an occupational therapy goal. A scoring rubric was used to evaluate the quality of implementation intentions; goal achievement was measured using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and goal attainment scaling.

Results: All implementation intentions received perfect quality scores, suggesting participants learned to correctly craft implementation intentions. Improvements in COPM self-ratings exceeded minimal detectable change values; goal attainment levels indicated better-than-expected goal achievement.

Conclusion: An intervention combining MSI and implementation intention training appears to be feasible. As an adjunct to MSI, implementation intentions may contribute to clients' ability to achieve their own occupational performance goals. Further study is needed.