A joint Occupational Therapy and Music Therapy initiative to facilitate upper limb stretching in acute paediatric neurosciences

Background: Children in acute neurosciences can present with upper limb (UL) difficulties and Occupational Therapists (OTs) often recommend UL passive ranging/stretching programmes to reduce the risk of contractures. Music... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Children in acute neurosciences can present with upper limb (UL) difficulties and Occupational Therapists (OTs) often recommend UL passive ranging/stretching programmes to reduce the risk of contractures. Music Therapists (MTs) can play a major role in the rehabilitation of these children using music to support their social/emotional, physical and communication needs and joint-working is essential to ensure optimal outcomes.
Theoretical underpinning:
The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Function Disability and Health (ICF) is appropriate for multidisciplinary working in neurosciences as it focuses not only on deficits with function and structures but also the impact of this on capacity and performance, thus suiting the holistic and client-centred core of OT and MT.
Intervention:
The OT and MT jointly develop two UL ‘stretching songs’ aimed to facilitate stretching for appropriate children. It was hoped this programme would increase compliance and tolerance of this intervention which is often required into the future. The songs were recorded and given to parents with lyrics relating to the stretch position and melodies facilitating the length of stretch required.
Evaluation of outcome:
Following a successful pilot of the ‘stretching songs’ it was decided that gathering parental feedback regarding their experiences of using the programme would be of benefit. Questionnaires were sent to parents who had implemented the programme and very positive feedback was received.
Application to practice:
This innovative multidisciplinary initiative provides a tool to aid parents struggling with implementing the necessary UL passive ranging/stretching programmes and appears to be valued by parents who participated.