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Published on: September 30, 2020
Evaluating ADL measures from an occupational therapy perspective.
Sheryl Klein1, Ingrid Barlow, Vivien Hollis
1Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Sheryl.Klein@capitalhealth.ca
Summary
Six performance-based activities of daily living (ADL) measures align with occupational therapy principles. These findings help therapists select assessments that highlight the profession's unique healthcare contributions.
Area of Science:
- Occupational therapy practice
- Evidence-based healthcare assessment
Background:
- Occupational therapy's conceptualization of occupational performance is crucial for evidence-based practice and accountability.
- Standardized measures are needed to reflect the profession's unique contributions to healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare performance-based activities of daily living (ADL) measures with core occupational therapy principles.
- To identify ADL assessments that align with the intended outcomes of occupational therapy practice.
Main Methods:
- An action research design involved 13 occupational therapists and researchers.
- A nominal group technique identified key occupational therapy principles for assessing daily living activities.
- These principles were used to develop a questionnaire to evaluate 18 standardized ADL measures.
Main Results:
- Six measures were identified as most congruent with occupational therapy principles.
- These included: ADL Profile, Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, Functional Performance Measure, Rivermead ADL Assessment, Edmans ADL Index, and Melville-Nelson Self-Care Assessment.
Conclusions:
- The identified measures effectively demonstrate occupational therapy's distinct healthcare contribution.
- Findings provide guidance for occupational therapists in selecting and utilizing appropriate performance-based ADL measures.
