Upper Limb Rehabilitation Following Brain Injury: Complex, Multifaceted and Challenging (Report‪)‬

Introduction The practice of occupational therapy for children and adults with upper limb performance limitation following brain injury is currently being undertaken in the midst of much debate and change, resulting in many clinical reasoning challenges (Barnes and Johnson 2001, Daniels et al 2002, Whiteneck et al 2004, Wilding and Whiteford 2007). In the context of such debate and limited research evidence to support practice, Copley and Kuipers (1999) developed a protocol for structuring clinical reasoning and decision making related to neurological upper limb rehabilitation. The aim of the protocol is to assist the therapist to perceive and interpret salient cues, factors or characteristics about a person and his or her situation and, then, on the basis of those factors and relevant scientific /theoretical and constructed/experiential knowledge, to choose the treatment technique that is most likely to facilitate individual goal achievement.