Within acute neurosciences, occupational therapy upper limb assessment facilitates acute rehabilitation, prevention of secondary complications, and discharge planning.
Purpose:
The purpose of this preliminary study was to investigate best practice upper limb assessment of the acute neurological patient.
Procedures:
An occupational therapy internal audit identified the need for an acute-specific upper limb assessment. Although a comprehensive literature review failed to identify a suitable pre-existing assessment, two standardised assessments formed the basis of a composite assessment tool.
Findings:
Positive clinician feedback to the trial of the composite assessment indicated its potential clinical utility.
Conclusion:
Further modification and acute-care trials are recommended to ascertain if the establishment of psychometric properties is warranted.
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