Activity analysis is a part of the occupational therapy field of work. Translated, occupational therapy means work therapy or occupational therapy, it assumes that “being active” is one of the basic needs of human beings. So-called activities are the means by which a person can experience and change the environment, that is, a person participates in his environment through his activity. Activity analysis is a part of occupational therapy‘s activity analysis and allows to identify the type of activity for which the patient needs assistance. This step is used for therapy planning so that the patient’s actuation can be improved. Activity analysis consists of recording the activities. The goal of treatment, in turn, is to target appropriate activities.
Indications (areas of application)
The identification of a deficit and the therapeutic planning of an occupational therapy intervention, constitute the indication for activity analysis.
Contraindications
There are no contraindications to performing an activity analysis.
The procedure
Activity analysis consists of a close look at the activity and a focused examination of the individual tasks that make up an activity. A task is used to achieve a subgoal or produce a product within an activity. Activities of daily living (ADL) are defined as basic survival activities such as eating, hazard avoidance, hygiene, and warmth on the one hand, and complex tasks such as cooking, housework, and shopping on the other. Activity analysis is used to evaluate the therapeutic intervention framework. The following aspects of an activity are considered in depth:
- Nature of the requirement – What motor or cognitive skills are required for the activity?
- Tasks – Tasks that make up the activity.
- Sequence of tasks – Here there is a question of flexibility.
- Detection of risks and safety
- Complexity
- Cultural associations
- Means of accomplishing the activity – furniture, materials, tools, and environment.
- Social associations
- Structure of the activity
According to these criteria, a suitable activity is selected by the occupational therapist to achieve the therapeutic goal. Thus, the patient is provided with an individual problem assessment and allows him to “be active” in the sense of occupational therapy.
Possible complications
No complications are expected with activity analysis.
