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Published on: July 24, 2017
Self-generated strategic behavior in an ecological shopping task
Carolina Bottari1, Priscilla Lam Wai Shun2, Guylaine Le Dorze3
1Carolina Bottari, erg., PhD, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, School of Rehabilitation, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC, Canada H3C 3J7, and Researcher, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montréal, QC, Canada; carolina.bottari@umontreal.ca.
People with traumatic brain injury (TBI) use cognitive strategies for daily tasks like shopping. Therapy should focus on these self-generated strategies to improve independence after TBI.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Occupational Therapy
- Rehabilitation Psychology
Background:
- Cognitive strategies enhance performance in complex daily activities.
- Understanding strategy use in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial for effective rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the cognitive strategies employed by individuals with severe TBI during an unstructured, real-world shopping task.
- To assess the effectiveness of self-generated strategies in achieving goals within a naturalistic setting.
Main Methods:
- A behavioral analysis was conducted on 5 individuals with severe TBI.
- Videotaped sessions of an ecological shopping task (Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Profile) were used for analysis.
Main Results:
- All participants utilized cognitive strategies during the shopping task, with variations in number, type, and effectiveness.
- The individual demonstrating the highest level of independence employed a wider range and greater number of self-generated strategies.
Conclusions:
- Individuals with TBI employ cognitive strategies in real-world settings.
- Occupational therapists can leverage the assessment of self-generated cognitive strategies in naturalistic contexts to guide TBI rehabilitation and enhance daily activity independence.
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