REINJURY PREVENTION FOLLOW-THROUGH FOR CLIENTS WITH CUMULATIVE TRAUMADISORDERS

Objectives. Fifteen subjects with upper extremity, work-related cumula tive trauma disorders were involved in a quality improvement study to determine their self-reported degree of follow-through with reinjury p revention regimens. The effect of cuing was also studied. Method. Duri ng occupational therapy, subjects were involved in an educational sess ion that focused on recommendations in ergonomic equipment, therapeuti c maintenance techniques, body mechanics, and work simplification tech niques. Follow-through with reinjury prevention education was evaluate d and rated via telephone interviews approximately 2 weeks (T1) and 4 weeks (T2) after the educational session. Subjects did not know the qu estions they would be asked at T1, but were cued that their progress w ould be checked again at T2. Dependent t tests were conducted to compa re the mean number of recommendations for which complete follow-throug h was expected with the mean number of recommendations at T1 and T2 th at were implemented completely. Results. A significantly lower degree was found of absolute completion of recommendations at T1 and T2 than had been anticipated (p < .002). No significant difference between T1 and T2 was found, indicating that cuing at T1 had little effect on sub jects' actual follow-through rate. Conclusion. The implications of the se findings for occupational therapists support the need for further r easerch in reinjury prevention and employer education.