Clinical Decision Making in Pelvic Floor Therapy the OT Difference

Abstract

Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) is a life-altering and debilitating chronic condition that affects 28 millions of women in the United States alone, the prevalence of (PFD) among women ranges from 11.5% to 35%, (Radzimińska et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2009). This study affirms how occupational therapy practitioners can be essential resource in treating pelvic floor dysfunction from a holistic perspective by addressing the wide range of activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impacted by pelvic floor dysfunction, particularly in women. Through a qualitative descriptive case study and a single key informant—an occupational therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy— explored how clinical experiences, evidence-based practice, and continuing education influence clinical decision-making in delivering optimal client interventions and outcomes data analysis consisted of inductive coding and thematic analysis yielding (1) a holistic approach to evaluation and assessment of ADLs, IADLs, and occupational participation; (2) the application of an occupational clinical lens in treatment planning; and (3) an occupational perspective on intervention strategies and the development of personalized home exercise programs. These findings highlight the unique contributions of occupational therapists in addressing both the physical and psychosocial impacts of pelvic floor dysfunctio