The importance of occupational therapy in hand therapy

Occupational therapists are major contributors to the multi-professional approach that is required in the delivery of specialist rehabilitation to people with conditions affecting the hands or upper limbs (IFSHT 2010); 73 % of members of the British Association of Hand Therapists who have achieved the award of Accredited Hand Therapist are occupational therapists. This is reflective of the large contribution that this profession makes to the field of hand therapy. The range of conditions that may receive hand therapy is very considerable, and includes congenital abnormalities, traumatic injury, degenerative conditions, soft tissue damage, burns and nerve injury (IFSHT 2010). The focus of occupational therapy intervention is to assist individuals in maintaining or regaining the ability to participate in their desired occupations such as work, activities of daily living, educational pursuits, leisure, play and social participation (Amini 2011). Hand injuries produce functional consequences and the occupational therapist’s focus on meaningful activities and participation enables therapeutic interventions to be approached within the specific context of how the individual interacts with their environment (Fitzpatrick and Presnell 2004). A systematic review of interventions for the hand, wrist and forearm found support for the use of occupation-base