Date Presented 04/03/2025
This study was a single-group pretest–posttest design of OTs working with the adult population with traumatic brain injury (TBI) addressing sexuality and intimacy through a community of practice approach with significant improvements in OT knowledge, beliefs, and actions found.
Primary Author and Speaker: Kelsey M. Simonson
Contributing Authors: Dawn Nilsen
PURPOSE: This study aimed to provide occupational therapists (OTs) with evidence-based education on the importance of addressing sexuality and intimacy participation for adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) through a community of practice (CoP) approach. The purpose of this research was to determine the effect of participation in a CoP on OTs’ knowledge, beliefs, and actions when addressing sexuality and intimacy with the adult TBI population. This CoP was presented through the SexualOTy program which aims to improve OTs’ confidence and competence in addressing sexuality for adults with TBI.
DESIGN: This research study was a single group pre-test post-test design. Recruitment was completed through convenience sampling of OTs at Hackensack Meridian Health (HMH) JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute’s (JRI) Center for Brain Injuries.
METHOD: This study took place at HMH JFK JRI. The SexualOTy program included an introductory meeting and six, one-hour, educational modules conducted on a weekly basis followed by a conclusionary meeting. The total of eight sessions took place over the course of the two months CoP. Pre and post tests were administered utilizing the Adult TBI Sexuality Confidence Questionnaire (ATBIS-CQ), a non-standardized questionnaire, determining the knowledge, beliefs, and actions of OTs in addressing sexuality and intimacy with the adult TBI population.
RESULTS: Significant improvements in the total (Z = -2.524, p = .012) and composite ATBIS-CQ scores- knowledge (Z = -2.673, p = .008), beliefs (Z = -2.527, p = .012), and actions (Z = -2.810, p = .005) were found following participation in the CoP using Wilcoxon signed rank test.
CONCLUSION: Participation in the CoP SexualOTy was effective at improving the knowledge, beliefs, and actions of OTs working at HMH JFK JRI’s Center for Brain Injuries. The adult with TBI population served by the Center for Brain Injuries may have positive effects due to the education provided by the OTs at HMH JFK JRI
References
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