Utility of the Canadian occupational performance measure in community-based brain injury rehabilitation

Primary objective: To investigate the clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) for community-based individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Methods and procedures: Thirty-four individuals with ABI (M = 5.32 years post-injury, SD = 3.92) were administered the COPM with self- and relative ratings of performance and satisfaction obtained. Relatives completed the Brain Injury Community Rehabilitation Outcome 39 (BICRO-39) scales. Measures of awareness of deficits, emotional status and cognitive function were obtained. A sub-group of participants was randomly allocated into a no-intervention group (n = 15) or an 8-week treatment group (n = 10). Initial assessments and 8-week follow-up assessments were conducted. Main outcomes and results: A pre- and post-assessment comparison for the treatment group identified a significant improvement on most COPM ratings (p < 0.05), but not the BICRO-39 (p > 0.05). However, self-ratings of satisfaction improved for the no-intervention group (p < 0.05). Self-ratings of satisfaction were significantly correlated with anxiety (r = -0.42, p < 0.05), although there were no other significant associations between COPM ratings and awareness, mood state and cognitive function. Conclusions: The findings generally support the utility of the COPM in community-based rehabilitation; however, the need for self-ratings to be interpreted in the context of other outcome indicators is recommended.