Occupation-Based Practice and its Relationship to Social and Occupational Participation in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury

The objective of this study was to increase the evidence regarding the use of occupation-based practice and its effects on social and occupational participation in adults with spinal cord injury. Three individuals who had experienced a spinal cord injury 2 to 5 years previously, lived in the community, and received services from one of the two selected occupation-based occupational therapists participated in the study. Using a qualitative ethnographic design, they participated in one semi-structured, open-ended interview that contained questions designed to elicit experiences of life satisfaction, participation in meaningful occupations, social roles and responsibilities, and participation in occupational therapy. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, narrative analysis, literature review, and narrative smoothing. Seven occupation-based approaches appeared to directly support the participants' current level of occupational and social participation. This study provides occupational therapists with a more practical understanding of how to apply these approaches in their own practices.