Alternative to Modified Ashworth Scale for Spasticity

The Modified Ashworth Scale (or the original version) are the most popular and common way used by therapists and physicians to measure spasticity. This ordinal scale is a simple clinical way to measure resistance to passive stretch. However, it is limited by the measurer’s subjective experience and is considered to have poor inter-rater reliability. Instead, … Read more

In-Home Assessment Occupational Therapy Modifications, Checklist, & Interventions

Reasons for Home Assessment & Concerns Functional impairment Difficulty with activities of daily living (ADLs), IADLs Poor physical health Need for assistive devices Postsurgical conditions Low vision Schizophrenia Fear of falling History or risk of falls Barriers to Interventions Finances Renting compared to ownership of properties Availability of professionals, e.g., handymen Interventions Barrier removal resulted … Read more

Occupational Therapy Community Accessibility: Assessment & Evaluation Form

General Considerations Physical access demands Universal design Cognitive requirements and familiarity (e.g., dementia) Sensory (e.g., low vision, noise level and echo for hard of hearing, sensory room) Safety (fire alarms, exit signs, stairs vs. elevators, stair chairs, AED, fire extinguishers) Are floors slippery? Is braille available or other assistive technology for sensory deficits? Are loudspeakers … Read more

SOAP Notes Cheat Sheet for Occupational Therapy Documentation

SOAP Notes for Occupational Therapy S-O-A-P = Subjective Objective Assessment Plan Documentation takes practice. When writing SOAP notes (which is one way of documentation – there are others), the main tip is to be concise. Why do we do it? “If you didn’t document it, then it didn’t happen!” Documentation such as with SOAP notes … Read more

Revised Levels of Assistance for Occupational Therapy – CARE Tool Section GG in Acute Rehab (ARU)

The following apply to the standards of the CARE Tool (Section GG) that replaced the FIM for levels of assistance terminology and their definitions/percentages. See this article for the original values used in settings such as acute care.   CARE 6: Independent — Person completes the activity by himself/herself with no assistance from a helper. … Read more

Medical Research Council (MRC) Scoring System for Muscle Strength in the ICU for Occupational Therapy

MRC in ICU for OT Manual muscle testing (MMT) in the ICU using the Medical Research Council (MRC) Scoring system for occupational therapy. Score Description 0 No visible contraction 1 Visible muscle contraction, but no limb movement 2 Active movement, but not against gravity 3 Active movement against gravity 4 Active movement against gravity and … Read more