OT Practitioners’ Role in Working With Pediatric Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease

PURPOSE: To identify current trends in occupational therapy practice for children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

DESIGN: A survey design was used to conduct this research. Pediatric occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) were recruited to participate in the study via email and through social media groups, including Facebook, Linked In, and CommunOT.

METHOD: A 22 item survey was used to collect data. Analysis of data was conducted through REDcap.

RESULTS: 69 participants completed the survey. Respondents were primarily OTRs (97%), had a master’s degree (54%), had 6-10 years of practice experience (28%), and worked in an outpatient setting (46%). Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported working with children with IBD monthly, weekly, or daily. The OTPs who do work with this population reported impacts across all areas of occupation and with client factors of emotional regulation and perception of sensory input or pain. The most frequently used treatment interventions included interoception training, self-advocacy training, sensory integration, and environmental or IEP modifications. None of the respondents reported that they ‘strongly agree[d]’ for either comfort or confidence in addressing IBD related problems with pediatric clients. The two highest reported barriers to addressing IBD concerns were that children with IBD are not referred to OT by medical providers, and a lack of training opportunities on OT intervention for IBD.

CONCLUSION: Although OTPs are trained to address chronic condition management, the specific population of children with IBD may not be commonly treated by OTPs. This population likely experiences impairment across all areas of occupation; however barriers that prevent treatment include lack of education to OTPs and referrals for OT services. Further research is needed to develop interventions for children with IBD as well as training for OTPs likely to treat this population.

References

Scheffers, L. E., Vos, I. K., Utens, E. M. W. J., Dieleman, G. C., Walet, S., Escher, J. C., van den Berg, L. E. M., & Rotterdam Exercise Team. (2023). Physical training and healthy diet improved bowel symptoms, quality of life, and fatigue in children with inflammatory bowel disease. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 77(2), 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003816

Silva, L. C., Seixas, R. B. P. M., & de Carvalho, E. (2020). Quality of life in children and adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease: Impact and predictive factors. Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, 23(3), 286–296. https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2020.23.3.286