Therapeutic Activities for Occupational Therapy

Therapeutic Activities are closely related to

Occupational Performance in Clinical Practice

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General:

“97530” – Therapeutic Activities also known as kinetic-based activity [movement]. Therapeutic Activities in Occupational Therapy is commonly billed though many people are confused about what falls within the parameters of therapeutic activities in occupational therapy. 

Therapeutic Exercise- 97110 

Use this code when working on joints, structures, muscles. The task is specifically designed in the Biomechanical model of practice to remediate, restore, or maintain the integrity of that particular element as well as flexibility, range of motion, strength, and endurance.

Therapeutic Activity – 97530

Use this code when billing movement-based activity designed to elicit mobility for a specific end-result or when implementing an activity designed to produce a functional movement pattern. For occupational therapy practitioners, it is to increase functional performance of a meaningful activity lying within the 8 domains of occupation. 

  Neuromuscular Re-education (NMRE) – 97112

This code does not require your patient to have a neurological-based diagnosis (this is a common mis-fact). Instead NMRE is a common code used by OTPs when applying one of the ten to twenty neurological-based models of practices or frames of reference they have within their scope whether that is neuromotor, neurobehavioral, neurocognitive, dual tasking, neuromuscular, Neurodevelopmental, etc. NMRE can apply to individuals across the lifespan when implementing interventions designed to promote, restore, or maintain balance, coordination, kinesthetic sense, posture, and/or proprioception for sitting and/or standing activities.

How should you approach Therapeutic Activity in Occupational Therapy? 

Explanation: Therapeutic activities (97530) are essential in occupational therapy practice. They are  kinetic-based activities that often combine numerous performance skills that can be translated across many occupations. Here is the part many people need to hear….this does not need to be an ADL, IADL, or even the ‘goal’ occupation in order to be reimbursed. Therapeutic activity, for occupational therapy, is often used in the continuum toward the least-restrictive, most-effective completion of an activity falling within the 8 domains of occupation.

 Note: These canNOT be random activities you pull from Pinterest because they look cute or fun!!! Therapeutic activities (or the body mechanics and performance skills your activity is eliciting)must be grounded in research or evidence-based practice for your client’s personal factors and diagnoses.

Examples of Therapeutic Activities for Adults in Occupational Therapy

• • • • Obstacle courses
      • Standing or Seated activities simulating performance skills needed in everyday life
        • • • • Coin/Bead manipulation
              • Tying
              • Utensil training 
              • Multi-modal activities depending on the reason for performing it

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