Abstract
This study examined the types of alternative therapy methods that are used by OT and PT practitioners as therapeutic interventions. It also examined the therapists’ perceptions of the effectiveness of these methods in improving the limiting factors that impact patients' functional performance in adults with physical disabilities.
Primary Author and Speaker: Carolyn Murphy
Additional Authors and Speakers: Amanda Henderson, Laura Dunham, Ashley Elkin
Contributing Authors: Jenny Hasson, Amanda Latimer
The use of alternative therapy methods (ATMs) to address patient problems and goals has become increasingly prevalent in healthcare (Snyder, Niska, & Lindquist, 2016) with evidence supporting the use of ATMs to improve function in a variety of areas (Noradechanunt, Worsley, & Groeller, 2017; Bang, Son, & Kim, 2016). Occupational therapy (OT) and physical therapy (PT) clinicians utilize ATMs; however, there is a lack of information regarding which methods are typically used and which diagnoses or problems are commonly treated with these methods. The purpose of this study was to determine which ATMs are preferred as therapeutic interventions among OT and PT practitioners and to determine which ATMs therapists perceive as the most effective in improving the limiting factors that impact patients' functional performance in adults with physical disabilities.
This study was conducted in a one-time survey format through Survey Monkey®. Study participants (N=92) included practicing OTs, OT assistants, PTs, and PT assistants that treat adults with physical disabilities. The survey consisted of 44 closed-end questions in which the respondents were asked to rate his/her level of agreement to statements regarding the use of and perceived effectiveness of ATMs using a Likert scale. The sample for this study was recruited from skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies, and social media (e.g., closed Facebook therapy practitioner groups) by the researchers, who live and work in different geographic locations. The link to the survey was posted in the social media groups by the researchers and weekly reminders regarding the study were posted in the groups, along with the link to the survey. Hard copy fliers were posted in therapy offices of the researchers’ employers and clinicians at the sites were provided the link to the survey via email.
Responses were collected via Survey Monkey® and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Responses were totaled and percentages for each item was calculated. Data are presented in percentages as they relate to the total sample.
The results of the survey indicate that ATMs were used by 79.79% of the respondents to treat patients with a diagnosis of stroke. Respondents also indicated that the diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease (67.02%), general debility (70.21%), and dementia (70.21%) were frequently treated with the use of ATMs. The most frequently used ATMs among the respondents were media (e.g., arts and crafts) (72.92%), music (63.54%), and guided imagery (51.04%). Respondents felt that ATMs were most effective in treating pain (90.63%), range of motion deficits (85.42%), balance (83.16%), and psychosocial issues (83.16%).
Therapy practitioners are utilizing ATMs in adult rehabilitation settings to treat a variety of disorders and associated limiting factors. There is a variance of opinions as to the effectiveness of the interventions on remediating the patient’s limitations. The results of this study can aid in informing clinicians about which alternative therapy methods are being used in practice and for which diagnoses, as well as providing information about how effective they are believed to be by those who use them.
This study contributes to the limited evidence regarding the use of ATMs by OT and PT practitioners. Alternative therapy methods can support client-centered care and may play a role in improving client outcomes. This study relates to AOTA’s Priority: Effectiveness in that the results of this study can aid students and practitioners in understanding the usefulness and effectiveness of ATMs with adults with physical disabilities as perceived by practitioners who use them.
Snyder, M., Niska, K., & Lindquist, R. (2014). Evolution and use of complementary and alternative therapies. In R. Lindquist, M. Snyder, & M. F. Tracy (Eds.), Complementary & alternative therapies in nursing (7th ed.) (pp. 3-16). New York, NY: Springer.
Noradechanunt, C., Worsley, A., & Groeller, H. (2017). Thai yoga improves physical function and well-being in older adults: A randomised controlled trial. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(5), 494-501. doi:10.1016/j.jsams.2016.10.007
Bang, Y., Son, K., & Kim, H. (2016). Effects of virtual reality training using Nintendo Wii and treadmill walking exercise on balance and walking for stroke patients. Journal of Physical Therapy Science, 28(11), 3112-3115. doi: 10.1589/ipts.28.3112