Hand Use at Home and in Clinical Settings by Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Qualitative Study
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to understand the physical, attitudinal, and assistive characteristics of the home and the therapeutic settings that enable and/or hinder hand use by children with spastic hemiparesis CP. A qualitative study with 7 children with CP, their caregivers, and therapists was conducted. Children were observed at home and in their therapeutic settings to understand the supports and barriers from these environments regarding their use of the affected hand. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with caregivers and therapists. The transcribed interviews and field diaries were used for cont...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - September 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Marina Brandão, Juliana Melo Ocarino, Kátia Maria Penido Bueno, Marisa Cotta Mancini Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Reliability and Validity of the Upper‐body Dressing Scale in Japanese Patients with Vascular Dementia with Hemiparesis
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Upper‐body Dressing Scale (UBDS) for buttoned shirt dressing, which evaluates the learning process of new component actions of upper‐body dressing in patients diagnosed with dementia and hemiparesis. This was a preliminary correlational study of concurrent validity and reliability in which 10 vascular dementia patients with hemiparesis were enrolled and assessed repeatedly by six occupational therapists by means of the UBDS and the dressing item of the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.97 ...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - September 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Arisa Endo, Makoto Suzuki, Atsumi Akagi, Naoyuki Chiba, Ikuyo Ishizaka, Atsuhiko Matsunaga, Michinari Fukuda Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Reorganizing Therapy: Changing the Clinical Approach to Upper Limb Recovery Post‐Stroke
Abstract
Stroke is the leading cause of adult disability, and as a consequence, most therapists will provide health care to patients with stroke during their professional careers. An increasing number of studies are investigating the association between upper limb recovery and changes in brain activation patterns following stroke. In this review, we explore the translational implications of this research for health professionals working in stroke recovery. We argue that in light of the most recent evidence, therapists should consider how best to take full advantage of the brain's natural ability to reorganize, when prescri...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - September 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Isobel J. Hubbard, Leeanne M. Carey, Timothy W. Budd, Mark W. Parsons Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Will Environmental Interventions Affect the Level of Mastery Motivation among Children with Disabilities? A Preliminary Study
Abstract
Children with developmental disabilities tend to demonstrate lower levels of mastery motivation in comparison with typically developing children. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of physical and social environmental interventions on the mastery motivation of children with disabilities. Participants included 19 children (from two classes) with disabilities between the ages of 2–4 years from an educational rehabilitation centre. The Individualized Assessment of Mastery Motivation was used to assess the level of mastery motivation; the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale – Revised and t...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - September 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Amiya Waldman‐Levi, Asnat Bar‐Haim Erez Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
A Call to Wellness – Whitiwhitia i te ora: Exploring Māori and Occupational Therapy Perspectives on Health
Abstract
The World Health Organization records that indigenous peoples throughout the world experience poor health. The concept of health was explored from a Māori world view and compared with occupational therapy perspectives. The aim was to understand and value indigenous knowledge and promote culturally safe responsive practice.
Māori methodologies were employed to protect the Māori knowledge shared in the study. This involved applying seven principles, including respect for people, be cautious, and look, listen, and speak. Perspectives on health and wellbeing were collected in 2008–2009 from indigenous occupationa...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - August 21, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jane Hopkirk, Linda H Wilson Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Compensatory Postural Sway While Seated Posture During Tasks in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
AbstractPostural stability while seated was investigated in 16 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 16 typically developed (TD) children, aged 7–8 years. The lateral and antero‐posterior (A‐P) deviations of the centre of pressure (COP) were serially measured during sequential, upper limb, desk‐top tasks, including nine subtests. The average COP deviation was larger, especially in the lateral direction, in the group of children with ASD compared with TD children. However, the larger COP deviation in the children with ASD was not generalized across tasks. Analyses of subtests revealed that deviations we...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - June 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Yoshimi Funahashi, Chieko Karashima, Minoru Hoshiyama Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Analysis of Touch Used by Occupational Therapy Practitioners in Skilled Nursing Facilities
AbstractInstrumental touch is identified as having purposeful physical contact in order to complete a task. Expressive touch is identified as warm, friendly physical contact and is not solely for performing a task. Expressive touch has been associated with improved client status, increased rapport and greater gains made during therapy.The purpose of the study was to observe the frequency of expressive and instrumental touch utilized by an occupational therapist during an occupational therapy session.Thirty‐three occupational therapy professionals, including occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants, emp...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - June 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Douglas Morris, J. Henegar, S. Khanin, G. Oberle, S. Thacker Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Leisure Activity Participation as Predictor of Quality of Life in Korean Urban‐dwelling Elderly
This study investigated participation in leisure activities in urban‐dwelling elderly persons in Korea and its role in predicting quality of life. The participated activities over a 48‐hour period were recorded by each participant, and amount of participated time for each activity was calculated. Correlational analysis examined the relationship between the degree of participation in domains of leisure activity and quality of life. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to determine which leisure activity participation predicted quality of life. The results indicated that the participants spent the most time in “u...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - May 19, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Joo Hyun Lee, Ji Hyun Lee, Soo Hyun Park Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Effectiveness of Standing Frame on Constipation in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Single‐Subject Study
This study was approved by the local Ethics Committee.This study has several limitation; primarily, the use of a single‐subject research design only makes possible the visual analysis of data obtained from a unique patient. So, by themselves, data obtained do not allow us any generalization for the target population. Future research should verify our results collecting more data and also investigating the effect of the standing‐frame on respiratory functions.Although the standing frame did not affect the frequency of evacuations or the characteristics of the stool, its employment reduced the inductions of evacuation an...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - May 16, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Elena Rivi, Mariacristina Filippi, Elisa Fornasari, Maria Teresa Mascia, Adriano Ferrari, Stefania Costi Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Occupation‐based Assessments and Treatments of Trigger Finger: A Survey of Occupational Therapists from Israel and the United States
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe the reported evaluation and treatment methods commonly administered by occupational therapy (OT) specialists in hand therapy for patients with trigger finger (TF).
Sixty‐one therapists from Israel and the United States completed an electronic survey.
Sixty‐nine per cent of the therapists reported evaluating TF symptoms (body function level) as part of their assessment protocol; however, only 25% reported the use of occupation‐based measures for the assessment of people with TF. All therapists reported using orthoses to treat TF, yet significant differences were found...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - May 13, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Danit Langer, Shai Lucia, Adina Maeir, Asnat Erez Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Feasibility of SaeboFlex Upper‐limb Training in Acute Stroke Rehabilitation: A Clinical Case Series
Abstract
Upper‐limb (UL) recovery following stroke is often poor. UL rehabilitation therefore continues to be a major focus for occupational therapy. Published evidence for the effectiveness of SaeboFlex training in acute stroke rehabilitation is scarce. The purpose of this study is to explore the feasibility and patient experience of SaeboFlex training in acute stroke. This feasibility study recruited stroke patients (< 84 days post‐stroke) with moderate/severe UL weakness. They participated in SaeboFlex sessions for 12 weeks in addition to conventional rehabilitation. A battery of measures was taken at basel...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - April 24, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Rebecca A. Stuck, Lisa M. Marshall, Ramachandran Sivakumar Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Occupations that People with Late Effects of Polio Perceive Difficult to Perform
Abstract
The aims of this study were to describe which occupations that people with late effects of polio perceive difficult to perform, which occupational area the occupations were related to and their level of complexity. The aims were also to describe their own perception of the importance, performance and satisfaction with these occupations. Sixty‐two participants (mean age 61 years) were assessed with the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. A total of 431 occupations were reported (43% self‐care, 32% productivity and 25% leisure). Two subcategories, household management (27 %) and functional mobility (23 ...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - March 1, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Katja Appelin, Jan Lexell, Eva Månsson Lexell Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Exploring Occupation Roles of Hospice Family Caregivers from Māori, Chinese and Tongan Ethnic Backgrounds Living in New Zealand
Abstract
A major challenge to occupational therapists working in palliative care is determining the best ways to help family caregivers who are caring for family members. The purpose of this study was to explore palliative caregiver occupations among Māori, Chinese and Tongan ethnicities. Six informants participated, one woman and one man from each ethnic group. In each of their homes, informants were asked to discuss what it was like caring for their dying family member. The occupational themes resulting from these interviews were food preparation, spirituality and family gathering. Therapists need to be aware of the dif...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - February 28, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Jennifer Angelo, Linda Wilson Tags: Research Article Source Type: research
Reduction of Non‐adherent Behaviour in a Mexican‐American Adolescent with Type 2 Diabetes
Abstract
This single‐subject research aimed to evaluate the effect of occupation‐based activities to improve diabetes self‐management skills in a non‐adherent 19‐year‐old Mexican‐American adolescent transitioning to young adulthood. Using a pre‐test/post‐test design, the subject's performance was re‐evaluated with five standardized measures following an 8‐week intervention. The subject made major improvements on the Diabetes Self‐Efficacy Scale, Exercise Behaviour and in goal attainment of targeted behaviours on the basis of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The Adapted Intrusiveness Ra...
Source: Occupational Therapy International - February 17, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Emily Piven, Rene Duran Tags: Special Issue Paper Source Type: research
Occupational Therapy International, Evidence‐Based Practice and Clinical Research
(Source: Occupational Therapy International)
Source: Occupational Therapy International - February 17, 2014 Category: Occupational Health Authors: Franklin Stein, Eric Hwang Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
