Occupational therapy for service members with mild traumatic brain injury

Am J Occup Ther. 2009 Sep-Oct;63(5):646-55. doi: 10.5014/ajot.63.5.646.

Abstract

More occupational therapists are needed to provide client-centered, evidence-based rehabilitation to the large numbers of service members who sustained mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) while deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Proponency for Rehabilitation and Reintegration tasked a team of occupational and physical therapists to assemble evidence-based best practices specific to mTBI. Despite the fact that evidence-based reviews, guidelines, and research regarding occupational therapy for mTBI are sparse, the team developed the Clinical Practice Guidance: Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Occupational therapy practice recommendations specific to client education, vision, cognition, resumption of roles, and emotional well-being are summarized for civilians and characterized as practice standards or practice options. By using evidence-informed and holistic services, occupational therapists have the potential to lead rehabilitation and reintegration efforts for service members with mTBI and advance changes in the profession itself.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Brain Injuries / rehabilitation*
  • Cognition Disorders / rehabilitation
  • Humans
  • Military Personnel*
  • Occupational Therapy* / methods
  • Task Performance and Analysis
  • United States
  • Vision Disorders / rehabilitation