Topic 1a Activity Analysis

• What is the therapeutic use of occupations and activities in occupational therapy?

  It involves using occupations as a means and as an end in therapy.
• How is activity analysis defined in occupational therapy?

  Activity analysis is a process that addresses the typical demands of an activity, the skills involved, and the cultural meanings ascribed to it.
• What are the components that make up an activity?

  An activity is made up of several tasks.
• What is the relationship between tasks, activities, and occupations?


  Occupations are made up of several activities, which in turn are made up of several tasks.
• In what part of the occupational therapy process do OTs perform activity analysis?

  OTs perform activity analysis in every part of the occupational therapy process.
• Why do occupational therapists use activity analysis during interventions?

  They use it because they utilize occupations as both a means and an end.
• What information can be gleaned from an activity analysis?

  Information includes needed equipment, materials, space, time, and how an activity can be therapeutic.
• What does it mean to grade or adapt an activity in occupational therapy?

  It refers to modifying an activity for successful performance by the client.
• What are the two types of activity analysis mentioned?

  Activity Analysis (AA) and Occupation-based Activity Analysis (OBAA).
• What are the steps in performing an activity analysis?

  1. Determine what is being analyzed.
  2. Determine the relevance and importance to the client.
  3. Determine the sequence and timing.
  4. Determine the object space and social demands.
  5. Determine the body functions.
• What questions should be asked to determine the relevance and importance of an activity to a client?

  Questions include how the activity is important to the client and how it affects their life.
• What should each step in the activity analysis include?

  Each step should include an action verb, how the action takes place, objects used, and time elements if needed.
• What are the object demands in activity analysis?

  Object demands include tools, supplies, and equipment needed to complete the activity.
• What factors are considered under space demands in activity analysis?

  Factors include size, arrangement of objects, surface, lighting, temperature, humidity, noise, and ventilation.
• What are social demands in activity analysis?

  Social demands involve the relationships between people involved in the activity and the expectations of their behavior.
• How do performance skills differ from body functions in occupational therapy?

  Performance skills are observable actions that result in quality performance, while body functions are physiological functions of body systems.
• What are the three types of performance skills mentioned?

  Process skills, motor skills, and social interaction skills.
• What are specific mental functions in occupational therapy?

  Specific mental functions include judgment, concept formation, metacognition, executive function, praxis, and cognitive flexibility.
• What is the role of attention in activity analysis?

  Attention involves sustaining focus, selective attention, divided attention, and shifting attention during activities.
• How does memory function in activity analysis?

  Memory functions include short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memory, which are essential for recalling information during activities.
• What is perception in the context of activity analysis?

  Perception allows individuals to make sense of sensations and includes discrimination of auditory, tactile, visual, olfactory, gustatory, vestibular, and proprioceptive sensations.
• What does the thought process involve in activity analysis?

  It involves maintaining coherent thoughts, distinguishing reality from delusions, and logical problem-solving.
• What is the significance of emotional regulation in activity analysis?

  Emotional regulation involves managing emotions and understanding the difficulties or dangers associated with activities.
• What are the specific mental functions related to cognitive processes in occupational therapy?

  • Judgment
  • Concept formation
  • Metacognition
  • Executive function
  • Praxis (motor planning)
  • Cognitive flexibility
  • Insight
• What are the types of attention relevant to activity analysis?

  • Sustained attention
  • Selective attention
  • Divided attention
  • Shifting attention
• What are the types of memory relevant to activity analysis?

  • Short term memory
  • Working memory
  • Long term memory
• What are the types of perception involved in activity analysis?

  • Auditory
  • Tactile
  • Visual
  • Olfactory
  • Gustatory
  • Vestibular
  • Proprioceptive
• What are the components of thought processes in activity analysis?

  • Concept and content of thought
  • Awareness of reality vs. delusions
  • Logical and coherent thought
• What are the mental functions related to sequencing complex movement?

  • Regulating speed, response, quality, and time of motor production
  • Controlling extraneous movement
• What is the difference between awareness of reality and delusions?


  Awareness of reality involves distinguishing what is real, while delusions are false beliefs, such as delusions of grandeur.
• How does logical and coherent thought relate to problem-solving in activities?

  It requires utilizing available information to make decisions, such as picking an outfit during summer.
• What are the mental functions involved in sequencing complex movement?

  • Regulating speed, response, quality, and time of motor production
  • Managing movements that are part of learned tasks
  • Controlling extraneous movements
  • Requires motor processes and thinking
• What does emotional regulation involve in the context of activities?


  It involves managing the range of emotions and appropriateness of emotional responses during activities.
• What is body image in relation to self-awareness?

  Body image is the understanding of one's size and shape.
• How does self-concept relate to activities?

  Self-concept involves understanding the roles a person plays in various activities.
• What are the components of global mental functions related to consciousness?

  • Awareness and alertness
  • Clarity and continuity of the wakeful state
• What does orientation to person involve?

  It involves knowing your name.
• What does orientation to place involve?

  It involves knowing where you are.
• What does orientation to time involve?

  It involves being aware of the time, date, and year.
• What does orientation to others involve?

  It involves being aware of significant people in your life.