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Research Article  |   November 1998
Achievement of Self-Identified Goals by Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: Phase I
Catherine A. Trombly; Mary Vining Radomski; Elin Schold Davis
Author Affiliations
  • Catherine A. Trombly, ScD, OTR/L, FAOTA, is Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Boston University, 635 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, ctrombly@bu.edu
  • Mary Vining Radomski, MA, OTR, is Occupational Therapist, Outpatient Brain Injury Program, and Rehabilitation Outcomes Coordinator, Sister Kenny 1nstirute, Minneapolis, Minneapolis
  • Elin Schold Davis, OTR, is Occupational Therapist, Outpatient Brain Injury Program, Sister Kenny Institute, Minneapolis, Minneapolis
Article Information
Neurologic Conditions / Traumatic Brain Injury / Research
Research Article   |   November 1998
Achievement of Self-Identified Goals by Adults With Traumatic Brain Injury: Phase I
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, November/December 1998, Vol. 52, 810-818. doi:10.5014/ajot.52.10.810
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, November/December 1998, Vol. 52, 810-818. doi:10.5014/ajot.52.10.810
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Abstract

Objective. This study sought to determine whether persons with traumatic brain injury who received outpatient occupational therapy services achieved self-identified goals related to tasks of daily life.

Method. Sixteen participants completed the study. Occupational therapists used their usual treatment procedures to restore independence in home and community occupational functioning. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure identified the five most important problems that interfered with independence in the roles the participant valued as well as the participant’s perception of performance ability and satisfaction with performance. Goal Attainment Scaling documented achievement of the five self-identified goals. The Independent Living Skills Evaluation (ILSE) and the Reintegration to Normal Living Scale(RNL) measured changes in overall instrumental activities of daily living and community reintegration.

Results. The participants significantly achieved (p < .001) their goals from admission to discharge, rated themselves as performing significantly better (p < .001), and were significantly more satisfied (p = .001) with performance after treatment than before. Additionally, they improved significantly on the ILSE (p < .001) and the RNL (p < .001) from admission to discharge. There were no significant changes in performance from discharge to followup on any of the scales.

Conclusion. Although causality cannot be inferred, it can be concluded that participants attending outpatient occupational therapy significantly improved, and improvements were sustained after discharge, but no further improvement occurred spontaneously.