I think I'm going to be apologizing for balloon thing for some time now. Balloon volleyball is not a sin. Neither is doing exercise. Neither is doing NDT. Neither is doing a craft. On the other hand, they are not always an occupation either (before I get the post, notice I wrote not always). The use of balloon vollyeball is fine, but, as an occupational therapist, your interventions hopefully will be a process of addressing occupational performance. In the case of Erika's post, she is improving their affect by using a sensorimotor activity (balloon volleyball). Affect is a part of ones ability to socially participate and thus a component of the ability to complete an occupation. Bravo! Jimmie
[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: And another thing about balloon volleyball. . . I do it with the acute psych patients where I work in a group I lead called movement and body awareness. Patients with the most flattest of affect, patients with the worst of depression, patients who would otherwise be sedentary, lying in their bed are reaching, bending, moving, increasing reaction time, using eye-hand coordination, smiling, laughing, interacting. Now these things may not carry over too far, but at least somehow and in some way, they were psychologically given a break from all of the negative thoughts, behaviors, etc. Yes, I get annoyed when certain staff members joke around and make some uneducated comment such as, "Oh, Erika, are you here to do the balloon games?" It is my job to educate and to explain why I do what I do. The thing that matters most, though, is that most patients appreciate what the group had to offer. (which isn't just balloon volleyball, by the way). Their mood has been lifted, they do n't feel as sluggish, they think better. So everyone's who's reading this, don't knock the balloons until you've tried them. I was scared to use them also in the beginning, because I thought patients might feel infantalized (sp?) or that it would not receive a warm reception, but it turns out to be the BEST part of the group. Ahhhh, now I feel better! Erika ----- Original Message ----- From: Jim Arceneaux Date: Saturday, January 20, 2007 1:32 am Subject: Re: [OTlist] balloon volleyball To: OTlist@OTnow.com > Hey Pat, > Sorry if I made it sound like I was making humor at that > interventions expense. I didn't mean it that way. I was just > clarifying the fact that balloon volleyball and other contrived > activities are no more occupational therapy than exercise. That > does not imply that these type of activities do not have place in > a occupational therapy plan of care. So does exercise at times, > but the purpose of occupational therapy engagement in ballon > volleyball, NDT, PNF, e-stim, or whatever non-occupation based > intervention is to enhance, allow or improve participation in > occupation. > Pleae don't be frightened to post. It is healthy to have these > types of discussion. I applaud you for standing up for what you > believe. Balloon volleyball can be an excellent intervention with > the right patients. > > Jimmie > > Pat wrote: > I can't find the postings now, but I know there have been times > that > balloon volleyball has been derided on the list. I always bit my > tongue > and didn't respond because I am one of those OTs that plays > balloon > volleyball, and balloon badminton (whether or not we use racquets > depends > on the size of the group). I never spoke up because I didn't want > to come > under attack, but I have to say I have found it to be great > therapy for my > back patients in the chronic pain clinic I work in. > > I work with a lot of worker's comp patients who have back injuries > and > can't stand for more than 5-10 minutes. Guess what? I get them > involved > in a spirited game and before they know it, they have been on > their feet > for 30-45 minutes without even thinking about their pain! They > love it, > and it is a wonderful activity for increasing standing tolerance. > > Punching balloons are the best. They don't pop easily and they are > large > and move slowly, which is good for my patients that use canes. > > Pat > > > > -- > Options? > www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com > > Archive? > www.mail-archive.com/otlist@otnow.com > > *********************************************************************** *************** > Enroll in Boston University's post-professional Master of Science > for OTs Online. Gain the skills and credentials to propel your career. > www.otdegree.com/otn > *********************************************************************** *************** > > > > --------------------------------- > Never Miss an Email > Stay connected with Yahoo! Mail on your mobile. 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