This is a course module for 1st year B.Sc in Occupational Therapy Students of Bangladesh Health Professions Institute.

2. Shamima Akter
BOT, MRS (enrolling)
Lecturer,
Department of Occupational Therapy
Bangladesh Health Professions Institute
Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed
Chapain, Savar
PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY

3. PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY
It is a goal directed behavior or task that the
individual considers as meaningful (WHO,
2000 and AOTA, 1997).
 The individual is active
 The individual participates voluntarily
 The activity is directed towards a goal

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF PURPOSEFUL
ACTIVITIES
To be a therapeutic tool purposeful activity should---
 Be goal directed
 Have some meaning to the patient/client to meet
individual needs in relation to socials roles.
 Require the physical or mental participation of the client.
 Be designed to prevent or reverse dysfunction.
 Develop skills to enhance performance in life roles.
 Be related to the client’s interest.
 Be acceptable, gradable and age appropriate.
 Be selected through knowledge and professional
judgment of the Occupational Therapist in concern with
the patient.

5. IMPORTANCE OF USING PURPOSEFUL ACTIVITY IN OT
 Several studies have shown the efficacy of
purposeful activity.
 While the person is engaging in wiping table out
he/she is concentrating on the ultimate outcome
of his/her movement (Table will be cleaned)
rather than on the movements they are
performing.
 As the person becomes more involved in the
activity, they are able to gain more control of
movement and it is assumed that they will not be
fatigue as easily.
 Some studies have shown that if you only
concentrate on the movements you make, you

6. CLINICAL REASON OF USING PURPOSEFUL
ACTIVITY
 To develop or maintain strength, endurance, work
tolerance, ROM and coordination.
 To practice and use voluntary, automatic movement
in goal directed tasks.
 To provide for purposeful use and general exercise
to affected parts.
 To improve sensation, perception and cognition.
 To improve socialization skills and enhance
emotional growth and development.
 To increase ability to perform in occupational roles.

7. REFERENCES
 Hopkins HL, Smith HD 1978, Willard and
Spackmann’s Occupational Therapy, 4th ed, J.B.
Lippincott Company.
 Pedretti LW 1996, Occupational Therapy: Practice
skill for physical dysfunction, 4th ed, Mosby-Year
Book, Inc, Philadelphia