What is recreational therapy?

Recreational therapy, also referred to as therapeutic recreation, is defined by the United States Department of Labor as a profession of specialists who utilize activities as a form of treatment for persons who are physically, mentally or emotionally disabled (Paraphrased, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, April 1991). Differing from diversional or recreation services, recreational therapy utilizes various activities as a form of active treatment to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional and social functioning and to increase independence in life activities of persons disabled as a result of trauma or disease. Recreational therapy services are delivered by qualified professionals who are formally trained and credentialed, through national testing, by the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification.

What are the benefits of recreational therapy services?

Research indicates that recreational therapy services offer a diversity of rehabilitation benefits addressing the needs of individuals with a range of disabling conditions. A national research project to determine the efficacy of therapeutic recreation in rehabilitation was sponsored by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) and conducted by Temple University (Agreement Number: H133B80048). A resulting national conference on the benefits of therapeutic recreation supported by NIDRR produced a proceedings document entitled, The Benefits of Therapeutic Recreation: A Consensus View which describes the contributions of recreational therapy to the rehabilitation of individuals with a range of diagnoses. The consensus from the participants of the project indicated:

• Recreational therapy services are an effective means for improving physical, cognitive, social and emotional functioning.
• Recreational therapy services develop the skills needed to enhance functional independence for community living and to promote a higher quality of life for the individual and their family.
• Recreational therapy services provide individuals with disabilities mechanisms to prevent declines in physical, cognitive, and psychosocial functioning and as a result reduce the need for health care services.
• Recreational therapy services reduce secondary disability and associated higher health care costs.

As with all allied health services, research continues to be a priority for the field. Comprehensive rehabilitation practices, including recreational therapy services are cost-effective, product treatment and rehabilitation outcomes, and respond to the life-long needs of the health care consumer.

The Cost-Benefit of Recreational Therapy:

The inclusion of recreational therapy services as a treatment option to be implemented by qualified health care providers results in health care savings. These savings are generated from several opportunities:

1. The shortage of allied health personnel has resulted in the limited availability of services in some area. In area where demand exceeds available personnel, higher salaries may be required for effective recruitment and retention. When the shortage of available allied health personnel results in higher personnel costs, it also increases the total cost of rehabilitation care. The inclusion of recreational therapy services further expands the available pool of qualified rehabilitation personnel to respond to the needs of the health care consumer at a reasonable cost.
2. By expanding the array of treatment options, health care providers have the opportunity to choose the most effective and efficient mix of therapies to respond to the needs of the health care consumer. Such an approach is consistent with the managed care strategy and is cost-effective.
3. The average salary for a recreational therapist in 1991 was $25,557 (Educational/Career Information, American Therapeutic Recreation Association, 1993). This compares with 1990-91 average salaries for physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists of $35,380, $30,500, $30,500 respectively (1992-93 Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Department of Labor). Since recreational therapy personnel receive, on average, 22.5% less in salary dollars than other rehabilitation personnel, and since each of the therapies complement each other, the application of the proper mix of therapies reduces overall health care costs while responding to consumer treatment goals.
4. In situations where recreational therapy services are delivered in a group treatment versus a 1:1 treatment format more treatment services can be delivered at the same salary expense.
5. Recreational therapy services reduce primary and secondary disabilities with resulting savings on costly health care services. Active involvement in recreational therapy services: improve community living skills and reduce the need for extended inpatient hospitalization; improve independent functioning thus reducing demands on health care providers; improve physical functioning and fitness impacting on general health and well-being; reduce the occurrence of decubitus ulcers and the costs incurred in their treatment; positively impact on emotional status to promote recovery and enhance compliance with medical treatment; and promote the development of social skills for integration into vocational and avocational endeavors among other outcomes. The cost-benefit of such outcomes is significant.

The benefits of including recreational therapy services as an aspect of comprehensive rehabilitation are significant. The costs of providing recreational therapy services are reasonable. In order to respond to the need for economical health care, recreational therapy services should continue to be provided as a rehabilitative service with expanded coverage by health care insurance.