Comfort: an application to address sexual health and intimacy for patients with brain injuries receiving occupational therapy
OA Version
Citation
Abstract
Patients with brain injuries can encounter several neurological symptoms that
affect physical and psychological functioning. This change in function can impact sexual health and intimacy. Patients with brain injuries who are referred to acute rehabilitation hospitals spend three hours a day in therapy. These patients develop rapport with their occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) who are in a unique position to address sexual health and intimacy concerns. There is limited research on occupational therapy (OT) interventions for sexual health and intimacy with adults after brain injury. This paper proposes an application program that addresses sexual health and intimacy education for patients with brain injuries receiving occupational therapy. The smartphone application, Comfort, will assist occupational therapists to overcome barriers to include sexual health and intimacy in client-centered and occupation-based care.