Graduation Year

2024

Degree Type

Open Access Capstone

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

Abstract

Background: This study used a pilot survey to collect data regarding how current occupational therapists who are also certified hand therapists are working with adult clients after a nerve trans- fer surgery. The pilot survey was conducted virtually via email and created using Qualtrics software.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to create a survey tool and obtain data to describe current occupational therapy practice trends, outcomes, and education for clients after a nerve transfer surgery. The research sought to determine what interventions are commonly incorporated, what are common outcomes, what education is being provided, what is included in a typical home exercise program, and what are typical nerve transfer surgeries encountered.

Theoretical Framework: Theoretical frameworks incorporated within this study are the biomechanical, sensorimotor relearning theory, and occupation-based practice.

Methods: A virtual pilot survey tool was created with 20 questions; initial questions were forced-answer to ensure that the participants met the inclusion criteria for the study. Other survey questions gathered data about common assessments, interventions, and types of nerve transfer surgeries commonly treated in practice by OT CHTs. A recruitment email was sent using professional networks and a snowball recruitment method was incorporated as well for further recruitment. Descriptive statics were utilized for data analysis.

Results: There were 17 respondents who completed one or more survey items. Five participants met inclusion criteria to complete the survey in full. The most common nerve transfer surgery encountered was the anterior interosseous nerve to ulnar motor nerve transfer. Of these participants 67% had worked with a client within this population less than 1 year from completion of this survey. The most common interventions incorporated were TENS, mirror visual feedback, task-oriented activities, gradual exposure to textures, and AROM as appropriate based on healing after an immobilized period which varied among most respondents.

Conclusion: The pilot survey successfully collected data related to the objectives of this research and the research provided feedback in which the survey tool will be modified and improved for future research on this topic. Participants of this survey demonstrated a combined approach within interventions of using task-oriented activities, modalities, sensor-motor relearning, and biomechanical means.

Faculty Mentor

Renee Causey-Upton, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, CLA, FAOTA

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Committee Member

Sara Brito PhD, MOT, MEd, BSc, OTR/L, CHT​

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

Department Affiliation

Occupational Therapy

IRB Approval Number (if applicable)

006069

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