Date of Award

5-2023

Degree Name

Master of Science in Occupational Therapy

Department

Occupational Therapy

Project Chairperson

Kirsten Wilbur

Second Advisor

Renee Watling

Third Advisor

Maggie Hayes

Keywords

burn, pediatric, cost-effective

Abstract

Our research was led by Kelly Culhane, OTR/L, at California Children Services (CCS), in searching for efficacious and cost-effective occupational therapy treatments, or sequences of treatments, in chronic pediatric (ages 3-21) burn scar management. The primary outcomes following burn scar treatment are to increase functionality, mobility, well-being, and to improve the physical appearance of the scars. Research suggests that exercise, massage, silicon gel, and silicon patches can all be used as occupational therapy treatment for burn scars. Unstructured massages and silicon patches were found to be the most cost-effective solutions, resulting in less itch and scar vascularity, and increased range of motion of the burn scar sites. Additionally, completion of exercise programs were found to lead to fewer surgeries to improve functionality of burn scars.

Because burn scars are infrequently seen by pediatric occupational therapists, a website page was created on burn scarring information and treatment for practitioners who may not have much exposure to burn scar treatment. The impact of the website page was measured by counting visits to the site in its two week launch period; the site acquired a total of 107 views in March and April of 2023, with 71 views in March and 36 views in April. Although treatment recommendations were based upon the most current published research, a limitation to this review was the scant number of studies on burn scar treatments, specifically in the pediatric population. Future studies focused on the pediatric population and how they best respond to various burn scar treatments would be beneficial for enhancing evidenced-based interventions.

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