Occupational Therapy Dept.
1. Occupational Therapy (OT):
Occupational Therapy (OT) is a healthcare profession that provides services to people whose ability to function in daily life has been disrupted. Purposeful activity, therapeutic exercise, special equipment, skills training, and environmental modifications are used to maximize the person's ability to attain independence in everyday living. (Bangladesh Occupational Therapy (BOTA) definition, 2010).
The Occupational Therapy intervention programs are designed based on the assessment and the specific goals of each patient against the problems identified. The intervention includes adjunctive modalities, therapeutic exercises, range of motion & strengthening exercises, fine & gross motor activities, cognitive-perceptual retraining, adaptive equipment, ADL training, splinting & assistive devices, environmental modification, home and community participation training, functional & purposeful activities etc.
2. Occupational Therapy Department at CRP:
Occupational Therapy (OT) is one of the indispensable rehabilitation services offered by CRP. OT services became most demanded which is available at all the CRP service delivery centers across the country. In the light of core values of CRP, the OT Department provides evidence-based quality services to a wide range of people affected with and vulnerable to functional limitations due to disease, injury, illness, impairment and disability. The prime goal of OT service is to improve client’s level of functional independence, enhance their participation, occupational performance & quality of life.
3. Available Occupational Therapy Services at CRP:
3.1 Neurology Unit (Outpatient):
At Neurology Unit numerous neurological conditions such as Stroke, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), Head Injury, Nerve Injury, Myelopathy, Myopathy, Transverse Myelitis (TM), Adult CP & Autism, Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Motor Neuron Disease (MND), Parkinson Disease (PD) etc. are treated. Following a thorough evaluation an OT tailors a treatment plan dedicated to restoring a patient's maximum functional ability.
There are different types of treatment approaches, techniques, models, frames of references used by an OT. The common approaches are Neurodevelopmental Treatment approach, Bobath Concept, Brunnstrom approach, Rood’s approach, Motor relearning, Constraint Induced Movement Therapy (CIMT), Sensory reintegration Technique, Mirror therapy, Task-Oriented approach, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) etc. Quite a few renowned OT models are also used like, Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO), MOHO, and COPM etc.
3.2 Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (Outpatient): A team of experienced OTs have been working in the Stroke Rehabilitation Unit (SRU) of CRP since its inception. [For more information on SRU OT services please visit: SRU]
3.3 Hand Therapy Unit (Outpatient):
The Hand Therapy Unit was started in 2008 as a specialized unit to serve patients with a variety of hand conditions. Some common conditions seen are Fractures, Frozen Shoulder, Arthritis, De-Quervain's Tenosynovitis (DQT), Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), Trigger Finger, Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow), Nerve Injuries, Tendon Injuries, Writer’s Cramp, Soft Tissue Injuries, Burns etc.
The Occupational Therapists (Hand Therapists) used a variety of treatment techniques for treating patients with different hand conditions, such as, Tendon & Nerve Gliding Exercise, Oedema & Pain Management, ROM Exercise, Contrast Bath, Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Stimulation, Wax Bath, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES), Hand Function Skills Training, Hand Writing & Computer Skills Practice etc.
3.4 Splinting and Assistive Device Unit (Outpatient):
3.4.1 Splint: Splint is an orthotic device for immobilization, restraint or support for any part of the body. It is an important aspect of optimizing function for clients with injuries and functional impairments.
Occupational Therapist advice, design and customize splints to patients as appropriate. Thermoplast / Aquaplast, Plastic Wood, Neoprene Fabric, Elastic Fabric etc. materials are used to manufacture customized splints. With the kind support from Kobe Gakuin University, Japan we have introduced 3D printed custom-made hand splints.
3.4.2 Assistive Device: Assistive devices are external devices/utensils/apparatus that are designed, made, or modified for persons with disabilities to assist them to perform a particular task. OTs are working deliberately focused on advice, design, manufacture (if appropriate) and use/practice assistive devices to make the patient functionally independent.
4. Ergonomics and Accessibility Consultancy Service:
The Occupational Therapy Department is also providing ergonomics and accessibility consultancy services for clients on demand. Ergonomically designed workstations are crucial for the clients having chronic back and neck problems along with people suffering from Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WRMSD) and Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI). Awareness on ergonomics and ergonomic workstation setup for computer users/desktop workers results in high productivity. Accessibility Audit/Consultancy is helpful to create a workstation/service more inclusive and safer for both the persons with disabilities and without disabilities.
5. Mental Health Service: In 2018, CRP launched an innovative mental health service model in Bangladesh through the Occupational Therapy Mental Health Day Centre project. [For more information on OT Mental Health services please visit: Mental Health Project]
6. Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Unit (In-patient):
A devoted team of OTs are working for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) rehabilitation at CRP along with other health professionals. The entire team follows the “Inter Disciplinary Team (IDT)” approach. OTs plays a vital role in the SCI rehabilitation by promoting independence, enhancing functional abilities, and improve quality of life. OTs work closely with patients to develop personalized treatment plans that address self-care, productivity, leisure and role play activities at family & Communities. To ensure the comprehensive rehabilitation of patients with SCI the OTs are playing their professional role successive four phases:
I) Acute phase; II) Active phase; III) Rehabilitation phase; IV) Community Reintegration Phase/Halfway Hostel.
6.1 Return to Work Unit (Inpatient)
The goal of Return-to-Work Unit is to provide service to restore the competence for worker roles. We aim to maximize the level of occupational participation/functioning/work participation of people with disabilities for safe and timely return to income generating roles/work.
7. Paediatric Occupational Therapy Service (Inpatient & Outpatient):
An expert team of OT professionals is providing appropriate and effective Occupational Therapy with a child and family-centered approach, where goals are individualized, interventions are evidence-based, adjustments are made based on progress, and changing needs services to Paediatric inpatients and outpatients at CRP under the Paediatric Department. [For more information on Paediatric OT services please visit: Paediatric]
8. Group Therapy Services (Inpatient & Outpatient):
The Occupational Therapy Department offers group therapy sessions both for inpatient and outpatient clients. Group therapy sessions have huge benefits for both pediatric and adult patients with different conditions. The regular group sessions are: mCIMT Group, Neurology Group, Functional Hand Therapy Group, OT Autism Group, ADL Group, Art & Craft Group, Music Group, Cooking Group, Gardening Group etc.
9. Commitment to Excellence:
The Occupational Therapy Department is always maintaining compliance with the core values of CRP. Our commitment to excellence drives us to ensure quality services with acquiring updated knowledge, technologies and practices. We thrive to offer evidence-based OT services to our clients with the support of national and international academic institutions and organizations.
For further information please contact:
Head of the OT Department
E-Mail: tauhidul.islam@crp-bangladesh.org
