Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) with
adults demonstrating agitation and post-traumatic amnesia (PTA) following brain
injury. DESIGN: Single-system experimental design (ABAB) across subjects.
METHODS: Eight subjects were recruited during acute rehabilitation. Current OT
intervention was alternated with the experimental Perceive, Recall, Plan and
Perform (PRPP) System approach over 4-weeks. Therapy was conducted daily.
Information processing capacity during occupational tasks was measured using the
PRPP System of Task Analysis. PTA status was monitored with the Westmead PTA
Scale. EXPERIMENTAL INTERVENTION: The PRPP System is a dynamic assessment and
intervention approach that directly links results of cognitive task analysis with
strategies for intervention. PRPP Intervention adopts an information processing
approach that simultaneously focuses on task training, strategy training and
strategy application within occupational performance. Results: Seven subjects
significantly improved in their application of processing strategies during the
PRPP Intervention in comparison to current OT Intervention phases. Large
treatment effects favoured the PRPP Intervention. Subjects demonstrated improved
information processing strategy use both prior to and following emergence from
PTA. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational therapy intervention based upon the PRPP System of
Task Analysis and Intervention improved subjects' ability to apply information
processing strategies during occupational performance when compared to current
intervention approaches.

Langue : ANGLAIS