ADDITION OF A DAILY LIVING SCALE TO THE OCCUPATIONAL SELF- ASSESSMENT

Background: This study validates a Daily Living Scale (DLS) for the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) (Baron & Kielhofner, 2006). The OSA is a valid and reliable assessment of occupational performance. We pursued three... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
This study validates a Daily Living Scale (DLS) for the Occupational Self-Assessment (OSA) (Baron & Kielhofner, 2006). The OSA is a valid and reliable assessment of occupational performance. We pursued three objectives: 1) expand the OSA adding a set of items of interest to patients following major medical events (bathing, grooming toileting walking, meal preparation, maintaining balance, climbing stairs, driving, house cleaning, laundry, and grocery shopping); 2) establish initial psychometric properties; and 3) demonstrate discriminate validity.

Theoretical underpinning:
MOHO

Assessment / Intervention/ Technique:
We used data collected prospectively from 33 subjects at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 9-12 months following liver transplant surgery to validate the OSA-DLS.

Evaluation of outcome:
Internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha 0.90 to 0.98 across ratings for each of the 5 time periods. We found high internal consistency at each of the five time points, with alpha scores ranging from 0.93-0.99. Significant correlation with OSA values (r=0.825 to 0.921), and the clients’ self-report. Concurrent validity supports the use of the two scales independently or together.


Application to practice:
The psychometrically valid OSA scales along with the newly developed OSA-DLS, successfully exhibit sensitivity to change over time. Skills improve as healing occurs. Findings support Kielhofner’s levels of doing: Occupational skill underlies occupational performance which enables occupational participation.


References:
1. Baron, K., & Kielhofner, G. A User's Manual for the Occupational Self Assessment (OSA)(Version 2.2): Model of Human Occupational Clearinghouse, Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago. 2006.