Fostering adherence to home programs for neurologic rehabilitation

The addition of home exercise programs as an adjunct to rehabilitation services is well established in occupational therapy practice. These home programs extend therapy beyond direct one-on-one services to allow for increased time and repetition, practicing the skills necessary for goal achievement. Integration of home programs is especially important in neurologic rehabilitation where intensive task practice is necessary to achieve neuroplastic changes for improved function (Nielsen et al., 2015). Well developed home programs can help support meaningful improvements in motor outcomes (Natta et al., 2015; Rand et al., 2017) In a survey of occupational therapists who treat adults with neurologic injuries, 94% reported the use of home programs, and 95% of those agreed that home programs encourage clients to reinforce occupational therapy interventions in their own environment (Proffitt, 2016). The ability to develop and implement individualized home programs is a necessary skill for occupational therapy practitioners.