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Research Article
Issue Date: July/August 2000
Published Online: July 01, 2000
Updated: April 30, 2020
Children With Burn Injuries: Purposeful Activity Versus Rote Exercise
Kim Melchert-McKearnan; Jean Deitz; Joyce M. Engel; Owen White
Author Affiliations
  • Kim Melchert-McKearnan, MS, OTR/L, is Research Consultant, University of Washington; and Occupational Therapist, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. At the time of this study, she was a Graduate Student, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. (Mailing address: 1022 North 48th Street, Seattle, Washington, 98103)
  • Jean Deitz, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
  • Joyce M. Engel, PhD, OTR, FAOTA, is Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
  • Owen White, PhD, is Professor, Department of Education, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Article Information
Complementary/Alternative Approaches / Pediatric Evaluation and Intervention / Wound Management / Efficacy Of Occupational Therapy
Research Article   |   July 01, 2000
Children With Burn Injuries: Purposeful Activity Versus Rote Exercise
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July/August 2000, Vol. 54, 381-390. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.54.4.381
American Journal of Occupational Therapy, July/August 2000, Vol. 54, 381-390. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.54.4.381
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Abstract

Objective. This study was designed to compare measures of pain when children with burn injuries were engaged in a purposeful activity, specifically a play activity, versus rote exercise.

Method. Two 6-year-old children participated in a study using a single-subject, randomized multiple treatment design to compare two conditions: purposeful activity and rote exercise. Data were gathered for each session on four dependent measures: number of repetitions of therapeutic exercise completed, number and type of overt distress behaviors displayed, scores on self-report scales of pain intensity, and overall enjoyment of the activity.

Results. Visual inspection of the graphed data suggested that, early in the rehabilitation process, the use of a play activity in comparison to rote exercise yielded better outcomes in terms of all four dependent measures. Additionally, the data implied that there may be a point later in the rehabilitation of a child with a burn injury when rote exercise may be as effective as play activities in meeting therapeutic goals.

Conclusion. This study supports the belief that purposeful activity can yield results equal to or better than those achieved using rote exercise. Replication of this study is warranted, and the development is indicated of a measure of overt behavioral distress that is more appropriate than those currently available for children with burn injuries.