The Use of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure for the Assessment of Outcome on a Neurorehabilitation Unit

Abstract

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was used as a client-centred outcome measure on a neurological rehabilitation unit. Seventeen clients with a variety of neurological disorders (eight with physical deficits and nine with physical and cognitive deficits) were assessed using the COPM on admission, and their occupational therapy incorporated activities that they identified as important to improve. Forty-six per cent of the chosen activities were related to productivity and leisure and 54% were related to self-care. The COPM was repeated on discharge.

The results showed a statistically significant increase in client ratings of performance and satisfaction. The increase in ratings between initial and final assessments was higher for satisfaction than for performance in clients with only physical problems, compared with clients with both physical and cognitive problems where the increases were less marked. Further study of a group with only cognitive problems would confirm whether the differences were due to difficulty in self-rating of performance or to a lack of awareness of cognitive deficits.

The effective use of the COPM as an outcome measure of occupational therapy in a rehabilitation setting is shown. Further studies in the hospital and community settings are suggested.