A Framework for Addressing Clients’ Functional Cognitive Deficits After COVID-19

Abstract

Occupational therapy’s focus on functional cognition offers a distinct approach to the assessment of and intervention for occupational performance deficits that may follow coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Although the majority of people survive COVID-19, many people experience persistent functional cognitive sequelae severe enough to interfere with occupational performance. After COVID-19, people may be categorized as either (1) those who experience severe or critical illness requiring hospitalization or (2) those with mild to moderate presentations of the virus without hospitalization. A third group of those who do not have ongoing signs of active infection but who experience new, lasting, or deteriorating symptoms has begun to emerge and may represent a distinct COVID-19 long-haul syndrome. By following the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and using established processes for occupational therapy assessment and treatment of functional cognition, occupational therapy practitioners can tailor assessments and interventions to meet clients’ needs.

Exploring the Ability to Perform Activities of Daily Living and Cognitive Status after Hospitalization with COVID-19: A Multiple Case Study

“…Symptoms can have diverse effects on the functional abilities of individuals and multidisciplinary rehabilitation after COVID-19 is recommend, and this includes occupational therapy (OT) [ 8 , 13 , 15 ]. Researchers recommend OT assessments of occupational performance for COVID-19 patients to identify rehabilitation needs of activity, occupational performance, and participation including cognitive disabilities [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Leitfaden für das Management von Folgen viraler Erkrankung mit SARS-CoV-2 aus Sicht der Ergotherapie

“…Angesichts der neuropsychologischen Problemstellungen insbesondere im Bereich der Handlungsplanung (Sequenzierung), motorischen Planung, praktischen Problemlösefähigkeit, Reizselektion/Priorisierung, Informationsverarbeitung Konzentration, Gedächtnisleistungen, Wortfindung/Sprache [ 56 , 66 – 69 ] hat sich in der wissenschaftlich begleiteten ergotherapeutischen Versorgungspraxis gezeigt, dass ein unmittelbares KRAH®-basiertes Vorgehen [ 7 – 10 ] bessere Wirkung zeigt als das Durchführen standardisierter Interventionen (dies betrifft auch den nach ethischen und professionellen best-Practice-Kriterien abzuwägenden Einsatz standardisierter und normierter Assessment-Tools, wie im Rahmen der Befunderhebung angeführt) [ 23 ].…”

Challenges and Management of Long COVID in Individuals with Hematological Illnesses

“…It is advised to reserve assessment by occupational therapist and neurologist for those with severe functional impairment or diminished quality of life. Cognitive rehabilitation by a trained occupational therapist could provide coping strategies to limit impact on daily life and may accelerate the rate of improvement [ 45 ].…”