The use of activity as a tool in the process of occupational therapy intervention in neurological rehabilitation

• Published in: Cadernos de Terapia Ocupacional da UFSCar Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 617 - 622
• Main Authors: Stoffel, Diane Priscila, Nickel, Renato
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Portuguese; Spanish
• Published: 01.01.2013
• Subjects: Behavior Modification; Body Modification; Health Behavior; Identity; Intervention; Professions; Rehabilitation; Sociotherapy; Therapists
• ISSN: 0104-4931
• DOI: 10.4322/cto.2013.064

This study is a theoretical consideration aiming to discuss the practice of occupational therapy in neurological rehabilitation. We focus on the use of activity as a tool for intervention processes. To this end, we propose to raise subsidies between the structure and nomenclature of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), the principles of Model of Human Occupation (MOHO), and the Motor Learning Approach for Motor Behavior Recovery. The performance of daily activities, the development of habits and their insertion on the subjects' routines can stimulate their learning and adaptation processes. This allows subjects to acquire and organize new satisfactory performance patterns for participation. In this context, the activities employed by the occupational therapist in the rehabilitation process should involve already controlled body functions, because change in motor behavior only occurs based on the modification of previously acquired skills. We emphasize the need for justification of the practice of occupational therapists in the theoretical scope of their profession, so that they can sustain their identity and professional skills, and strengthen their activities. Adapted from the source document.