An Occupation-Based Review of Outcome Measures Used to Assess Hand Function After Burn Injury

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Rehabilitation science
• Burn care

Background:

• Occupation is central to occupational therapy but its use in assessment has declined.
• Occupation-based assessments are crucial for maintaining an occupational focus in therapy.
• Many current assessments for upper extremity function in burn patients lack an occupational perspective.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review outcome assessment tools for hand function in burn literature.
• To critique the presence of occupation within these assessments using the Occupation-Based Practice Assessment.
• To identify gaps in current assessment practices regarding occupation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of outcome assessment tools for hand function in burn rehabilitation.
• Critique of selected assessments using the Occupation-Based Practice Assessment framework.
• Analysis of the occupational nature of commonly used outcome measures.

Main Results:

• Many outcome measures in upper extremity burn rehabilitation are discrete and do not capture client occupations.
• Existing assessments often focus on isolated movement rather than meaningful activities.
• There is a need for assessments that reflect the person from an occupational perspective.

Conclusions:

• Occupation-based assessments are vital for effective occupational therapy, especially in burn rehabilitation.
• The Suitcase Packing Activity is proposed as a valuable addition to assessment batteries.
• Integrating occupation-focused assessments enhances the delivery of person-centered occupational therapy evaluations.