Occupational Therapy Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

- by Jean-Michel Albaret
- •
- Assessment, Occupational Therapy, Handwriting, Psychomotor Therapy

This systematic review investigated research literature evaluating the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions focusing on recovery in the areas of community integration and normative life roles for people with serious mental illness. The review included occupation-and activity-based interventions and interventions addressing performance skills and performance patterns, aspects of context and environment, activity demands, and client factors. The results indicated that the evidence of the effectiveness of social skills training is moderate to strong. The evidence for the effectiveness of life skills and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) training to improve performance is moderate, as is the evidence for neurocognitive training paired with skills training in the areas of work, social participation, and IADLs. The evidence for client-centered intervention and increased intensity and duration of treatment is limited but positive, and the evidence that providing intervention in the natural context is more beneficial than in the clinic setting is inconclusive. Gibson, R. W., D'Amico, M., Jaffe, L., & Arbesman, M. (2011). Occupational therapy interventions for recovery in the areas of community integration and normative life roles for adults with serious mental illness: A systematic review.

Pasando la mayor parte de las veces desapercibidas, aunque existen ya desde hace ya mucho tiempo, no es raro encontrar en los más diversos entornos asistenciales psiquiátricos, ciertas publicaciones, en formato de periódico, revista o fanzine, realizadas por las personas allí atendidas. Nacidas primero en los hospitales psiquiátricos, más recientemente dieron un paso fuera y ampliaron su difusión a otros entornos comunitarios, impresas primero en papel para, en la actualidad, aprovecharse también de las potencialidades y economía del formato digital a través de Internet. Pero, a pesar de su amplia difusión y utilización, parecería que su existencia queda relegada a una especie de subproducto ocupacional, que apenas ha merecido la atención de la literatura académica y especializada, incluso obviando que su existencia se remonta a un ya muy lejano primer tercio del S. XIX. Solo las más recientes corrientes historiográficas son las que han empezado a considerar dichas publicaciones como una importante fuente de información y documentación desde la perspectiva de los propios pacientes. Este tipo de boletines resultan, además, un reflejo práctico de las diferentes modas y tendencias asistenciales predominantes a lo largo de sus ya casi dos siglos de vida, con una evolución que es la que intentaremos esquematizar en esta presentación, resumiéndola en diferentes etapas con sus matices diferenciales entre sí, en cuanto a su presentación formal, contenidos y objetivos.

- by Oscar Martinez-Azumendi
- •
- Psychology, Psychiatry, Occupational Therapy, Art Therapy
- by James Tatti
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Mindfulness

Depression is a serious disease affecting an individual's entire life-situation, which can lead to great suffering and a reduced level of activity in everyday life. The aim of this study is to explore and describe how art therapy works for clients with depression. A systematic literature search of relevant databases was carried out to find articles concerning art therapy for depression, meeting criteria for reproducibility. This yielded 16 articles published in seven journals. The art therapy methods employed in each selected study were then examined and compared in order to understand the healing mechanism or mechanisms. These healing mechanisms are here termed "therapeutic factors". The analysis resulted in eight therapeutic factors: self-exploration, self-expression, communication, understanding and explanation, integration, symbolic thinking, creativity, and sensory stimulation. No general conclusions could be drawn regarding circumstances, but the results indicate that art therapy can be performed successfully in a wide variety of clinical situations. The results are discussed in relation to International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) core sets for depression.

- by Anita Björklund
- •
- Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Mental Health, Depression

This paper expands the current concept of volition in the Model of Human Occupation. The present version views personal causation, values, and interests as traits that determine choices to engage in occupations. Through a detailed investigation of the life histories of two persons with psychiatric disorders, this paper illustrates how volition is embedded in a personal narrative. Two features of narratively organized volition are highlighted: (a) how narrative places decisions and actions within a plot, thus giving them meaning in the context of a whole life, and (b) how the personal narrative motivates the person by serving as a context for choosing and action. Thus, the paper illustrates how persons seek to narrate their lives and live their life narratives.

- by Cheryl Mattingly
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Motivation, Chronic Disease, Mental Disorders

Introduction: To develop occupational therapy's evidence base and improve its clinical outcomes, occupational therapists must increase their research involvement. Barriers to research consumption and leadership are well documented, but those relating to delivering research interventions, less so. Yet, interventions need to be researched within practice to demonstrate their clinical effectiveness. This study aims to improve understanding of challenges and enablers experienced by occupational therapists who deliver interventions within research programmes. Method: Twenty-eight occupational therapists who participated in the Valuing Active Life in Dementia (VALID) research programme reported their experiences in five focus groups. Data were analysed thematically to identify key and subthemes. Results: Occupational therapists reported that overwhelming paperwork, use of videos, recruitment and introducing a new intervention challenged their research involvement, whereas support, protected time and a positive attitude enabled it. The impact of these challenges and enablers varied between therapists and organisations. Conclusion: Challenges and enablers to research involvement can be identified but must be addressed within individual and organisational contexts. Multifaceted collective action to minimise challenges and maximise enablers can facilitate clinicians' involvement in research. Using this approach should enable occupational therapists to increase their research involvement, thus demonstrating the clinical effectiveness of their interventions.

- by Becky Field
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Qualitative Research, Clinical Sciences

Background/Aim Obesity is a significant public health concern globally. It is associated with poor physical health, mental health and subjective wellbeing and limitations on occupational participation. With its focus on the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing, occupational therapy would appear to be well placed to address both the causes and consequences of obesity. The aim of this review is to explore the scope of the role and evidence base for occupational therapy practice this field. Methods Searches were conducted of four online databases and nine occupational therapy journals. Articles were included if they were theoretical, quantitative or qualitative research, explicitly related to occupational therapy and obesity, published in peer reviewed journals, in English between 2002 and 2012. All research articles were critically reviewed and thematic analysis was conducted across all of the articles in the review. Results Eight theoretical articles, 12 quantitative and two qualitative research studies were included. Only three were outcome studies. Thematic analysis identified four categories of focus of occupational therapy intervention; health promotion and prevention, increasing physical activity participation, modifying dietary intake and reducing the impact of obesity. Four categories of intervention strategies were also identified; assessment, modifying the environment, education and introducing and adapting occupations. Conclusion and Significance The findings of this review suggest a comprehensive role for occupational therapy in addressing obesity. The paucity of outcome studies however mean that significantly more research is required to further define and provide a strong evidence base for occupational therapy practice in this emerging field.

- by Michael Hazelton
- •
- Health Promotion, Occupational Therapy, Obesity, Diet

To describe patients' functional uses of 3 commercial wrist orthoses, to describe patients'preference patterns for the orthoses, and to clarifv orthotic attributes that are viewed positively and negatively Methods. Using a cross-over design, 42patients with definite rheumatoid arthritis used each of 3 commercial orthoses for one week. There was a one-week washout between each week of use. At the end of the study, private semi-structured interviews were conducted with each participant. Data from close-ended questions were tabulated. Open-ended data were analyzed using qualitative methods.

- by Hollis Krug
- •
- Immunology, Occupational Therapy, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Medicine

Aims: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the feasibility of a quantitative approach to study occupational therapistclient interactions. Role plays were videotaped in which 10 therapists met three client-actors. A questionnaire assessed the occupational therapists' and the patient-actors' opinion of the role-play experience. A modified version of the Roter Interaction Analysis System (RIAS), OT-RIAS, was used to analyse data. Major findings: Occupational therapists considered the role play experience to be "highly realistic" (mean score 5.4 on a 1-6 Likert scale). The actors' comfort role playing clients was also high (mean = 4.0; range 1-5). Inter-coder reliability for the OT-RIAS was highly significant (r = 0.919; p = 0.000). The modified version of this system fits well in an occupational therapy context. Principal conclusion: The quantitative approach used in this study to explore the therapist-client relationship appears to be effective. The role plays and RIAS may be useful in research exploring correlation between the OT communication style and outcome measures such as client satisfaction or comprehension, or in order to assess and offer feedback in teaching communication skills programmes.

- by E. Moja
- •
- Communication, Occupational Therapy, Psychometrics, Professional Role Socialization

Within the literature of the field, however, the meaning of occupation has been ambiguous because the term has been used interchangeably with other concepts. This paper's intent is to distinguish the term occupation from other terms, to summarize traditional beliefs about its nature and its therapeutic value, and to identify factors that have impeded the study and discussion of occupation. The Dynamic, Multidimensional Nature of Occupations Occupations are the ordinary and familiar things that people do every day. This simple description reflects, but understates, the multidimensional and complex nature of daily occupation.

As atividades são instrumento privilegiado das ações dos terapeutas ocupacionais e
constituem o elemento orientador na construção complexa e contextualizada do processo terapêutico.
No entanto, diferentes formas de conceber e definir atividades convivem, atualmente, na produção
teórica na área, o que fica explicitado na variação em relação aos termos utilizados pelos terapeutas
ocupacionais para nomear sua ferramenta de trabalho e seu objeto de estudo. Este artigo apresenta
uma pesquisa bibliográfica desenhada para avaliar o estado da arte da produção científica dos
terapeutas ocupacionais brasileiros a respeito das atividades e ocupações, considerando o uso dos
termos, as concepções a eles vinculadas, suas definições, categorias e contexto e as diferentes
abordagens na Terapia Ocupacional brasileira contemporânea. O recorte inicial, cujos resultados
são aqui apresentados, delimitou artigos publicados em periódicos nacionais da área de 1990 a
2008. 206 artigos foram encontrados em cinco publicações nacionais na área e foi realizada análise
quantitativa deste material. Com a realização do levantamento bibliográfico e a análise dos dados
foi possível apontar tendências e interesses na produção dos terapeutas ocupacionais no Brasil,
mapear os termos mais utilizados, os domínios das atividades mais freqüentemente abordados e
sua articulação com as perspectivas teórico-metodológicas.

- by Marina Di Napoli Pastore
- •
- Occupational Therapy

In this study functional electrical stimulation (FES) was used with patients with complete and incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI) in an effort to facilitate improved hand function. By improving a patient's ability to grasp and release everyday objects we hoped to see increased independence in activities of daily living (ADL). It was anticipated that the application of daily FES training, in addition to regular occupational therapy (OT) and physiotherapy (PT), would facilitate the restoration of neurological function in the wrist or fingers. We were examining the carryover effect of using a neuroprosthesis for grasping in our patients. The results were compared to controls that received regular physiotherapy and occupational therapy which included electrical stimulation for muscle strengthening without the functional component. By doing this study we hoped to answer the following questions: What is the best way to apply FES to restore hand function and maximize functional independence?

The study objectives were: (a) to compare the prevalence of children at risk and/or with developmental delay (at risk/delayed) among the Ultra-Orthodox community with the prevalence reported in the literature and (b) to compare the performance of Ultra-Orthodox children in kindergarten versus that of children in preschool. To this end, motor, visual-motor integration and cognitive performance of 203 Ultra-Orthodox boys from low socioeconomic status were assessed. We found a higher percentage of children who were at risk/delayed in gross motor and motor-cognitive skills as compared with the percentage reported in the literature. However, as opposed to expected, the results did not show that there was a higher percent of at-risk/delayed children among the kindergarten group as compared with those among the preschool group. Our findings are consistent with the research literature suggesting that children's cultural background and economic constraints can affect their motor and cognitive development. Thus, occupational therapists and other health professionals should be more culturally competent and more aware of the specific values and practices of families of children with whom they work, which can impact their development. However, in this study, it is difficult to distinguish between the influence of the cultural factors and the influence of socio-economic factors. Therefore, it is recommended to repeat this study among children from either low socio-economic status or other cultural backgrounds.

- by Naomi Weintraub and +1
- •
- Religion, Occupational Therapy, Risk assessment, Israel
- by Robert Lederer
- •
- History, Health Psychology, Computer Science, Occupational Therapy
- by Vaughan Nicholson
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Fear, Quality of life, Exercise therapy

The U.S. Congress has mandated that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services develop a uniform assessment instrument that characterizes patients' needs for postacute services. What scientific criteria should be used to evaluate the evidence for such a tool? The validity of a measure can be accurately graded only if the constructs measured and their applications are clearly defined. We argue that improving postacute placement is the main purpose of the uniform postacute assessment (recently renamed the Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation). We argue that placement itself needs to be better defined and measured in terms of transitions in the level and type of treatment and care. Domains that should be measured to provide appropriate rehabilitative placement recommendations include level of skilled medical and nursing care, therapies, routine living support, family support, ability to participate in self-care, and patient preference. Almost no research has been performed to quantify and predict the needed intensity of rehabilitative therapy, a major lacuna in evidence. Criteria and examples are provided for research that will provide minimal, probably adequate, or strong evidence for the validity of systems that recommend care transitions. A longterm program of research and systematic evidence synthesis is needed to support guidelines that improve postacute placement.

- by Mark Johnston
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Long Term Care, Evidence Based Medicine, Health Care

Stroke patients experience multiple impairments which impair ability to eat and render them vulnerable to the deleterious sequelae of malnutrition. This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate evidence-based guidelines for nutrition support following acute stroke using a multifaceted change management strategy. Methods: Prospective quasi-experimental design. Documentation of two groups of 200 acute stroke patients admitted to medical and care of the elderly wards of an acute NHS Trust in South London was surveyed using a checklist before and after implementation of 24 guidelines for nutritional screening, assessment and support. Guidelines were based on systematic literature review and developed by consensus in a nurse-led multiprofessional group; implemented via a context-speci¢c, multifaceted strategy including opinion leaders and educational programmes linked to audit and feedback. Sta¡ outcomes: Compliance with guidelines by doctors, nurses, therapists. Patient outcomes: Changes in Barthel Index scores and Body Mass Index in hospital, infective complications, length of stay, discharge destination. Results: Statistically signi¢cant improvements in compliance with 15 guidelines occurred in the post-test group. Infective episodes showed a signi¢cant reduction in the post-test group but other patient outcomes were una¡ected. Conclusions: Implementation of evidence-based guidelines for nutritional support following acute stroke using a multifaceted strategy was associated with improvements in documented practice and selected patient outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE; version 2.0). The SCOPE is an occupation focused, client-centered, theory driven assessment developed out of a practice/academic partnership. In this study, twenty practitioners from occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech

- by vanessa Barbosa
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Psychometrics, Adolescent, Child

To determine whether the multi-modal web-based rehabilitation 'Move it to improve it' (Mitii) is more effective than wait list control (usual care) to improve occupational performance, upper limb function, and visual perception in children with acquired brain injury (ABI). Fifty-eight randomly allocated children (53% males; mean age 11y 11mo, SD 2y 6mo; Manual Abilities Classification Scale equivalent I=32, II=24, III=2; mean Full-scale IQ 75.8, SD 16.2) received either 20 weeks of Mitii (n=29) or usual care (n=29). Mitii comprised upper limb, cognitive, visual perception, and gross motor tasks, recommended for 30 minutes per day, 6 days per week, over 20 weeks. Outcomes were the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), Melbourne Assessment of Unilateral Upper Limb Function, Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function, Test of Visual Perceptual Skills, Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA), and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The primary comparison at 20 weeks between gro...

- by Lynne McKinlay
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- Occupational Therapy, Visual perception, Adolescent, Activities of Daily Living
- by Kat Gwinn
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Handwriting, Electromyography, Dystonia

In this chapter we discuss both social inclusion and participation broadly and consider multiple perspectives through which they may be understood. Most significantly, we draw upon the conceptual work of Sen and Nussbaum. To inform the discussion, we draw upon data from Pereira's study of poverty and participation to highlight the need for such work from an occupational perspective.

- by Gail Whiteford
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Social Inclusion, Occupational Science

Objective: To investigate the effects of an intensive, inpatient rehabilitation programme on individuals affected by Huntington's disease. Design: A pilot study. Within-subjects design. Setting: Inpatient rehabilitation home of the Italian welfare system. Subjects: Forty patients, early and middle stage of the disease, were recruited to an intensive, inpatient rehabilitation protocol. Interventions: The treatment programme included respiratory exercises and speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy and cognitive rehabilitation exercises. The programme involved three-week admission periods of intensive treatment that could be repeated three times a year. Main measures: A standard clinical assessment was performed at the beginning of each admission using the Zung Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index, Tinetti Scale and Physical Performance Test (PPT). Tinetti and PPT were also used at the end of each admission to assess the outcomes in terms of motor and functional performance. Results: Each three-week period of treatment resulted in highly significant (P Ͻ0.001) improvements of motor performance and daily life activities. The average increase was 4.7 for Tinetti and 5.21 for PPT scores. No carry-over effect from one admission to the next was apparent but at the same time, no motor decline was detected over two years, indicating that patients maintained a constant level of functional, cognitive as well as motor performance. Conclusions: Intensive rehabilitation treatments may positively influence the maintenance of functional and motor performance in patients with Huntington's disease.

- by Paola Zinzi
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Depression, Cognition, Treatment Outcome

Golomb MR, McDonald BC, Warden SJ, Yonkman J, Saykin AJ, Shirley B, Huber M, Rabin B, AbdelBaky M, Nwosu ME, Barkat-Masih M, Burdea GC. In-home virtual reality videogame telerehabilitation in adolescents with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.... more

- by Moustafa AbdelBaky and +2
- •
- Technology, Occupational Therapy, Video Games, Magnetic Resonance Imaging

To investigate the effects of an intensive, inpatient rehabilitation programme on individuals affected by Huntington's disease. A pilot study. Within-subjects design. Inpatient rehabilitation home of the Italian welfare system. Forty patients, early and middle stage of the disease, were recruited to an intensive, inpatient rehabilitation protocol. The treatment programme included respiratory exercises and speech therapy, physical and occupational therapy and cognitive rehabilitation exercises. The programme involved three-week admission periods of intensive treatment that could be repeated three times a year. A standard clinical assessment was performed at the beginning of each admission using the Zung Depression Scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Barthel Index, Tinetti Scale and Physical Performance Test (PPT). Tinetti and PPT were also used at the end of each admission to assess the outcomes in terms of motor and functional performance. Each three-week period of trea...

- by Paola Zinzi
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Depression, Cognition, Treatment Outcome
- by Deana McDonagh
- •
- Psychology, Ergonomics, Occupational Therapy, Focus Groups

This article aims to discuss client-centred practice, the current dominant approach within occupational therapy, in relation to participatory citizenship. Occupational therapists work within structures and policies that set boundaries on their engagement with clients, while working with complex, multidimensional social realities. The authors present a critical discussion shaped by their research, including a survey, discussions at workshops at international conferences, and critical engagement with the literature on occupational therapy, occupation, and citizenship. A focus on citizenship suggests reframing professional development based on the participation in public life of people as citizens of their society. While occupational therapists often refer to clients in the context of communities, groups, families, and wider society, the term client-centred practice typically represents a particular view of the individual and may sometimes be too limited in application for a more syste...

- by Hetty Fransen and +1
- •
- Decision Making, Occupational Therapy, Professional Development, Inequalities

RESUMO: O artigo relata uma experiência de parceria entre o Laboratório de Estudos sobre Deficiência e Cotidiano do Curso de Terapia Ocupacional da USP e uma Escola Municipal de Educação Infantil da cidade de São Paulo, na qual foi proposto um trabalho onde, através de atividades lúdicas grupais com uma classe de crianças com 5 e 6 anos, fosse possível buscar soluções e trazer questionamentos às dificuldades encontradas pela escola no seu cotidiano que comprometiam a qualidade de aprendizado e convivência. DESCRITORES: Terapia ocupacional/tendências. Educação infantil. Jogos e brinquedos. Socialização. Escolas. Setor público. Estudos de intervenção.

- by ANDREA PEROSA SAIGH JURDI
- •
- Occupational Therapy

This document defines minimum standards for the practice of occupational therapy. The practice of occupational therapy means the therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals, groups, organizations, and populations for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in the home, school, workplace, community, or other settings. Occupational therapy services are provided for the purpose of promoting health and wellness and to those who have or are at risk for developing an illness, injury, disease, disorder, condition, impairment, disability, activity limitation, or participation restriction. Occupational therapy addresses physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory, communication, and other areas of performance in various contexts and environments in everyday life activities that affect health, wellbeing, and quality of life (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2004). The overarching goal of occupational therapy is "to support [people's] health and participation in life through engagement in occupations" (AOTAa, 2008, p. 626). The Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy are requirements for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants for the delivery of occupational therapy services. The Reference Manual of Official Documents of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (current version as of press time, AOTA, 2010) contains documents that clarify and support occupational therapy practice, as do various issues of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy. These documents are reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis for their applicability.

- by Susanne Smith Roley
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Documentation, Medical Ethics, United States
- by Ann Burkhardt
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Wound Healing, Clinical Sciences, Gels

The aim of the present study was to determine how women living in St Petersburg, Russia, who have had a mild stroke, describe their performance in activities of daily living (ADL) and to elicit possible causes of their occupational dysfunction. Thirty-six women who had experienced a mild stroke and been referred to a rehabilitation centre participated in the study. Data collection was conducted through interviews, including the 'ADL Staircase' and a modifi ed 'Frenchay Activities Index for Stroke Patients'. Additional data were collected through fi eld notes and information from team members and relatives. The results showed that women who have had a mild stroke and ADL limitations experience occupational dysfunction in ADL that is most often caused by a combination of overprotection from relatives, the women's own feelings of anxiety and insecurity, and an overemphasizing of their disability. The results are limited, based on the small sample and restricted geographic area. There is a need to further investigate how individuals who have had a mild stroke can be physically and socially rehabilitated and reintegrated into the community in countries with developing economies such as Russia.

- by Anita Björklund
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Family, Employment, Russia

This article presents the results of a research that aimed to analyze the labor activity of hairdressers, as well as to demonstrate the usefulness of Ergonomic Job Analysis (EJA) work-study method as a methodological basis for the occupational therapist to act in different job situations. Through this method, the therapist is able to diagnose the ergonomic risks of the situation studied and develop a booklet of duties with improvement recommendations. The research was carried out in a hair salon located in the municipality of Curitiba, State of Parana, from March to October 2010. 'Hairdressing' was the occupational category chosen and 'hair straightening' was the work activity analyzed. It was possible to observe that the activity is performed with the adoption of inadequate posture, repetitive movements, and lack of pauses to allow the recovery of the musculotendinous and/or osteomuscular structures. The need to intervene in this working environment is noticeable, focusing on its organization. In conclusion, the disorders observed in the work activities developed in the Third Services reflect in consequences to the health and welfare of workers.

- by Mariane Xavier
- •
- Ergonomics, Occupational Therapy

The role of psychosocial occupational therapy with AIDS patients is explored. The clinical picture is defined, information regarding the transmission, incidence, diagnosis, and treatment is presented, and the impact of the illness on the developmental life cycle is described. The occupational behavior framework is used to guide evaluation and intervention and case examples are provided. Finally, fears and issues affecting therapists working with these patients are explored.

- by Mary Squillace
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Medicine, Social behavior, Pregnancy

Cognitive reserve has been implicated as a possible protective factor in multiple sclerosis (MS) but to date no study has compared reserve-building activities across disease course or to healthy controls. This study aims to describe differences in reserve-building activities across the MS disease course and healthy controls. Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional cohort study that included 276 healthy controls, and subjects with clinically isolated syndrome (CIS; n = 67), relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS; n = 358) and secondary progressive MS (PMS; n = 109). Past reserve-building activities were operationalized as occupational attainment and education. Current activities comprised 6 strenuous and 6 non-strenuous activities, including 5 reserve-building activities and television-watching. Multivariate Analysis of Variance models examined group differences in past and current activities, after adjusting for covariates. There were group differences in past and current reserve-building act...

- by Carolyn Schwartz
- •
- Cognitive Science, Occupational Therapy, Multiple sclerosis, Television

Changes in the health system require occupational therapy practitioners to focus their concerns on the long-term health needs of people and to help them develop healthy behaviors not only to improve their health, but also to minimize the health care costs associated with dysfunction. Occupational therapy practitioners must initiate efforts in the community to integrate a range of services that promote, protect, and improve the health of the public. This article shares the experiences of Canadian occupational therapy practitioners, who were challenged by their government nearly 15 years ago to establish a system that demonstrates effectiveness by improving the health of occupational therapy clients. By focusing on occupational performance, occupational therapy practitioners assist clients in becoming actively engaged in their life activities. This requires client-centered and family-centered practice and services that span from the agency or institution to the community. Occupational...

- by Carolyn Baum
- •
- Health Behavior, Occupational Therapy, Government, Forecasting

Evidence-based practice has become an important approach to social work practice. This paper highlights some of the ethical dilemmas which may be implicated by this approach, and encourages social workers and social work researchers to... more

- by Rich Furman
- •
- Creative Writing, Critical Theory, Business, Management

In 1995 occupational therapy programmes in Europe founded a network in Aalborg, Denmark, with the aim of advancing the education of occupational therapists and the body of knowledge of the discipline. The European Network of Occupational Therapy in Higher Education (ENOTHE) is one of 43 other academic networks supported by the European Commission. The achievements, impact and obstacles in the work of ENOTHE will be discussed. Copyright © 2001 Whurr Publishers Ltd.

- by Hanneke van Bruggen
- •
- Occupational Therapy, Higher Education, Network, Clinical Sciences

Medically underserved rural communities struggle to meet challenging needs in response to the opioid crisis. The purpose of this study was to measure any benefit of an occupational therapy (OT) intervention group with participants in an addiction recovery program. Supervised OT graduate students implemented a five-week program at a faith-based non-profit organization in a small metro community. A weekly time management occupational-based intervention group based on the Action Over Inertia (AOI) manualized protocol focuses on motivating and providing strategies to successfully reintegrate individuals into the community by using meaningful activity and positively influencing levels of occupational balance and engagement (Krupa et al., 2003). Outcome measures included self-report of time use, occupational balance, occupational engagement, and goal identification, satisfaction, and performance. The need to effectively treat individuals with SUD is a public health priority. Results demon...

- by Paxton Granda
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- Occupational Therapy, Mental Health, Substance Misuse, Addiction and Recovery

Background: Shower assessments are complex and challenging tasks undertaken by many occupational therapists with little known about how they are conducted and how new graduates learn to carry these out. There are no published guidelines and limited opportunity for students to practise shower assessments during their training bringing into question how new graduates learn to do this assessment and judge their effectiveness. Aim: To investigate the experience of new graduate occupational therapists undertaking their first shower assessments in South Australia. Method: Six graduate occupational therapists participated in a phenomenological study. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed according to Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological method. Findings: New graduates found the shower assessment process cognitively and emotionally demanding. Without prior experience, new graduates lacked confidence to perform the practical aspects of conducting a shower assessment. The sense of responsibility for getting it right and ensuring client safety was at times overwhelming. Social norms around nudity, age and gender impacted on the graduate's interaction with clients in the shower environment. However, graduates with previous care attendant work were better able to manage the social and practical challenges inherent in shower assessments. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that additional experiential, 'hands on', learning is needed in university curriculum for new graduates to develop practical clinical skills, particularly as practice placements have become more diverse. Similarly there is a need for organisations to provide orientation activities and mentoring for new graduates as they transition from student to therapist.

- by Emma Glenn
- •
- Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Trust, Health Services Research

Introduction: Fine motor and graphomotor skills are essential for children's healthy development, as well as for successful participation in everyday activities. The Gilboa functional test (GIFT) is a newly developed norm-referenced screening instrument for use with children 3–6 years old. The aim of this study was to develop and validate the GIFT as a new measure for preschool graphomotor screening. Method: A community-based sample of 611 children aged 3–6 years was screened. Findings: Content validity was established via a panel of experts. The GIFT demonstrated good test–retest (0.95) and inter-rater reliability (0.94), demonstrating good concurrent validity in scores which significantly correlated with the Beery-VMI (r ¼ 0.32, P < 0.05), the Beery-MC (r ¼ 0.33, P < 0.05), the 'manual dexterity' subcategory of the movement assessment battery for children (r ¼ –0.364, P < 0.05) and the total score of the developmental coordination disorder questionnaire '07 (DCDQ'07)/little DCDQ (r ¼ 0.41, P < 0.01). A significant difference in total GIFT scoring was found between children from mainstream versus special education preschools (t ¼ 3.99, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The GIFT is a unique tool that measures performance skills based on preschool children's everyday activities. It can be used by paediatric occupational therapists as a first step for early identification of children potentially at risk for graphomotor/fine motor developmental delay.

- by Yafit Gilboa
- •
- Assessment, Occupational Therapy, Child Development, Screening

In a work rehabilitation context, we assessed occupational therapists' (OTs) shared decision-making (SDM) behaviors with individuals having persistent pain and explored factors influencing SDM behaviors. A cross-sectional study that used audio-recordings of work rehabilitation consultations between OTs trained in SDM and a convenient sample of patients. Eligible patients were: off work for ≥12 weeks due to persistent pain associated with a musculoskeletal disorder, starting a work rehabilitation program, and French speaking. Transcripts were analyzed using the Observing Patient Involvement in Shared Decision Making (OPTION) instrument and assessed patients' decisional conflict and socioeconomic status. Of 15 OTs trained in SDM, 11 (90% female), provided audiotaped SDM meetings with 37 patients (40.5% female; aged 18-62 years). Their average OPTION score was 53.94 out of 100 (SD=9.68; range 35.42-70.83), indicating basic skills. Significant factors associated with OPTION scor...

- by Lesley Bainbridge and +1
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- Program Evaluation, Decision Making, Occupational Therapy, Pain

Empathy is an important attribute for occupational therapists in establishing rapport and in better understanding their clients. However, empathy can be compromised by high workloads, personal stressors and pressures to demonstrate effi cacy. Occupational therapists also work with patients from a variety of diagnostic groups. The objective of this study was to determine the extent of empathy and attitudes towards clients amongst undergraduate occupational therapy students at one Australian University. A cross-sectional study was undertaken using a written survey of the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy (JSPE) and the Medical Condition Regard Scale. Overall, a strong level of empathy was reported amongst students. Four medical conditions that occupational therapists work with (stroke, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury and depression) were held in high regard. Substance abuse, however, was held in comparatively low regard. Overall, the year of study appeared to have no signifi cant impact on the students' empathy. Despite having a lower reported empathy level than found in health professions from other studies using the JSPE, occupational therapy students were found to have a good level of empathy. Of concern, however, was the bias reported against the medical condition of substance abuse, highlighting that the there may be a need to reinforce that patients from this diagnostic group are equally deserving of quality care irrespective of their clinical condition. Recommendations for future research include completing a longitudinal study of occupational therapy students' empathy levels and investigating the empathy levels of occupational therapists working with different client groups. Limitations of the study include the convenience sampling of occupational therapy students enrolled at one university which limits the generalizability of the results to groups of participants with similar characteristics.

- by Malcolm Boyle and +1
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- Occupational Therapy, Clinical Sciences