Environment effect of functional task performance in adults with acquired brain injuries: use of the assessment of motor and process skills.
OBJECTIVE
To examine household task performance in both familiar (home) and unfamiliar (clinic) environments in adults with acquired brain injuries.


METHODS
The research performed was a comparison study examining the effect of the environment on functional task performance. Individuals were evaluated using the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills both in their homes and in an unfamiliar clinic setting.


METHODS
Twenty individuals with acquired brain injuries living in the community.


METHODS
The Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, an observational, standardized, occupational therapy assessment tool, was used to evaluate household task performance.


RESULTS
Paired one-tailed t tests indicated a significant difference between home and clinic performance measures in process ability (t=-4.28, p=.00), but no significant difference in motor ability performance measures (t=-1.84, p=.410). Scatter plot analyses showed that performance scores of 6 of the 20 subjects differed in a clinically meaningful way, and that instrumental activities of daily living motor performance scores for 3 of the 20 differed in a clinically meaningful way.


CONCLUSIONS
Individuals with acquired brain injuries may be influenced by their environment when performing household tasks, although further study is necessary to determine the extent of the environmental effect.
Darragh
A R
AR
Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Human Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins 80523, USA.
Sample
P L
PL
Fisher
A G
AG
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009048:Motor Skills; D012931:Social Environment; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis