Short Report
Evidence in the literature supports a number of interventions that occupational
therapists may utilise when working with people with apraxia, although there
is no gold standard approach. A large-scale survey (n = 304, 36% response
rate) was conducted with the membership of the College of Occupational
Therapists Specialist Section – Neurological Practice to explore therapists’
understanding of apraxia and to provide a benchmark of current practice.
Consensus was found in the majority of belief statements regarding the condition,
although the respondents were unclear about the relationship between
cognition and apraxia. When the therapists were asked to indicate their choice
and use of interventions for apraxia, the results showed that the main
consideration was the context in which a person performs activities, with
moderate use of specific techniques including errorless learning and chaining.
The results are related to the evidence base and the implications for
occupational therapy practice and education are discussed
