Date of Award
2021
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Abstract
Background and Purpose: Nearly 15%-20% of individuals with a concussive or mTBI experience persistent residual cognitive, psychosocial or physical symptoms (Cogan et al., 2019). Majority of patients who sustain a concussion recover within 10 days, however, 15-20% of individuals experience prolonged recovery lasting longer than 10 days or suffer from post concussive symptoms affecting one’s participation in daily occupations (Patricios et al., 2015 & Harris et al., 2019.) With increased awareness of concussions, concussion management approaches have shifted from complete rest to a holistic, whole-body approach and graded return to activity to improve functional outcomes. The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between increased symptom burden in PPCS, specifically cognitive symptoms, and the role of occupational therapy in a multidisciplinary clinic. Method: This retrospective study includes an analysis of 91 patients at UCLA BrainSPORT Program. Charts analyzed for symptom information based on the Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC), the Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), concussion details and referral to occupational therapy. Results: Patients referred to occupational therapy demonstrated an increase in most symptoms reported in the GSC, however, not statistically significant when compared to those not referred to occupational therapy. A significant outcome was not found when determining if increased cognitive symptoms resulted in an occupational therapy referral at this clinic. Conclusion: The addition of an occupational therapy practitioner to a multidisciplinary concussion clinic provides multiple benefits such as comprehensive care through education and implementation therapeutic strategies to address PPCS and improve functional outcomes.
Recommended Citation
Rivera, Lina, "The Role of Occupational Therapy in a Multidisciplinary Outpatient Concussion Setting: Persistent-Post Concussion Symptoms" (2021). OT Student Capstones. 22.
https://scholarworks.atsu.edu/ot-capstones/22