Occupational Therapy and Artificial Intelligence: A Collaborative Approach to Improve Quality of Life While Recovering from Concussion

Literature surrounding occupational therapy’s role with concussion management is sparse. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of occupational therapy (OT) in combination with Brainbot, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) phone application for tracking and managing post-concussive symptoms. This study is composed of qualitative and quantitative data on five individuals ages 18+ who have sustained one or multiple concussions within the past five years. The researcher administered the following through pre and post assessments: The Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI), the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT-6), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). In addition, the researcher conducted the researcher-developed Occupational Therapy Concussion Evaluation Form to assess performance skills across a variety of areas. The student also used the BEAR PAW Center (BPC) Discharge Satisfaction survey to assess the services provided post-treatment. Through pre and post assessments, weekly sessions, and utilization of Brainbot, clients were able to improve their quality of life (QOL) and develop strategies to implement into their everyday life after concussion. This study helps to describe how occupational therapy practitioners can aid individuals in returning to meaningful activities after concussion(s)

Bridging Health and Function: Integrating Occupational Therapy into an Urgent Care Campus Health Center

As the field of occupational therapy (OT) continues to grow, its potential impact in emerging practice areas is often underrecognized, particularly in primary and urgent care settings. Traditionally rooted in hospital and rehabilitation environments, occupational therapy remains underutilized in outpatient and preventative care, despite its well-established benefits. This is especially evident in university health centers, where increasing health concerns among college students, faculty, and staff have created a growing need for holistic and accessible support services. Occupational therapy\u27s unique role supports health promotion, rehabilitation, and injury prevention in ways that complement and enhance medical care. Integrating occupational therapy into primary and urgent care settings offers a novel approach that has been proven to enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, support interprofessional collaboration, and improve provider burnout. This project further explores the integration of occupational therapy services within primary and urgent care, specifically in a university campus health center, aiming to meet the diverse needs of students, faculty, and staff while demonstrating the profession’s value in a nontraditional setting

Reaction Time as a Predictor of Cognitive Function in Collegiate Athletes with Concussion History

Background Cognitive-motor impairments are a persistent concern in athletes with a history of concussion. While reaction time (RT) is often used as a performance metric, its role in predicting broader cognitive function remains unclear. This study examines the relationship between RT and key cognitive domains, including executive function, psychomotor speed, and memory, in previously concussed collegiate athletes. Methods 112 college-aged athletes from a NCAA division I institution with a self-reported history of concussion were included in this cross-sectional study. Reaction Time Composite (RT-Comp), executive function, and psychomotor speed were assessed using Concussion Vital Signs (CNS Vital Signs LLC), a computerized neurocognitive assessment. Immediate memory and delayed recall were evaluated using the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool – 6th edition (SCOAT-6). Correlations were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation to assess the strength of associations. A priori p-value was set at p \u3c .05. Results RT-Comp demonstrated significant negative correlations with executive function (r = -0.430, 95% CI [-0.572, -0.265], p \u3c 0.001), indicating that slower reaction times were associated with reduced cognitive flexibility and decision-making abilities. A similar negative correlation was observed with psychomotor speed (r = -0.355, 95% CI [-0.508, -0.184], p \u3c 0.001), suggesting impairments in motor response efficiency. Additionally, slower RT was associated with lower scores in immediate memory (r = -0.307, 95% CI [-0.469, -0.127], p = 0.001) and delayed recall (r = -0.233, 95% CI [-0.403, -0.043], p = 0.013), highlighting potential long-term cognitive consequences of concussion. Conclusion Reaction time appears to be a strong indicator of cognitive function in post-concussion athletes, correlating with executive function, psychomotor performance, and memory recall. These findings suggest that RT assessments should be integrated into concussion evaluation protocols to enhance return-to-play decisions. Further research is needed to explore whether reaction time improvements correspond with cognitive recovery over time