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Description

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, presents with complex physical, cognitive, visual, vestibular, and emotional symptoms that can significantly affect an individual's ability to participate in meaningful daily occupations. Although occupational therapists play an essential role in concussion rehabilitation, many clinicians report that confidence in evaluating and treating this population develops primarily through years of clinical experience rather than structured education. Inconsistent exposure to concussion cases and limited access to current evidence-based resources contribute to variations in clinical confidence and practice.

Purpose: The purpose of this doctoral capstone project was to develop and implement a comprehensive educational program designed to strengthen occupational therapists' confidence, clinical knowledge, and effectiveness in concussion rehabilitation through evidence-based educational modules and practical clinical resources.

Methods: A needs assessment was conducted using clinician interviews, observations, and surveys within a neurorehabilitation setting to identify knowledge gaps and educational priorities. Findings informed the development of educational modules covering concussion symptom presentation, screening and assessment tools, evidence-based interventions, return-to-learn and return-to-activity guidelines, clinical decision-making, caregiver education, and community resources. Additional clinician resources, including patient education handouts, symptom trackers, visual and vestibular intervention guides, and clinical reference tools, were created to support implementation.

Results: The needs assessment revealed that occupational therapists largely attributed confidence in concussion management to years of clinical experience, while identifying a need for accessible, evidence-based educational resources. Because no newly hired occupational therapists entered the neurorehabilitation setting during the implementation period, post-implementation evaluation focused on the perceived future value of the educational program. Current occupational therapists reported that the educational modules would serve as a valuable onboarding resource by increasing future clinicians' confidence, clinical preparedness, and consistency in concussion management. The resources also demonstrated immediate value in supporting occupational therapy fieldwork students during clinical education.

Conclusion: This capstone project addressed an identified educational gap by developing a practical, evidence-based concussion education program for occupational therapists. The educational modules have the potential to improve clinician preparedness, promote greater consistency in concussion rehabilitation, and enhance the integration of current evidence-based practice into occupational therapy services. Future implementation with newly hired clinicians will further evaluate the program's impact on clinician confidence and patient care outcomes.

Publication Date

Summer 2026

Publisher

The University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Concussion Management, mTBI, mTBI Education Module, Occupational Therapy, Neurorehabilitation

Medical Subject Headings

Neurorehabilation educational module on mTBI for occupational therapist

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium, held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

Navigating Concussion Recovery: An Educational Module-Based Approach to Strengthening Occupational Therapist Confidence and Effectiveness in Concussion Rehabilitation

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