What Makes Choral Music-Making Meaningful? Canadian Musicians’ Insights from the COVID-19 Pandemic

History, Current Practice, and the Future of Wound Care for Occupational and Physical Therapists.

Background. Current health and occupational therapy literature lacks discussion on textured hair care as a meaningful occupation. In the Canadian context, this topic remains unexplored. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to explore textured hair care as a meaningful occupation through experiences and perceptions of Canadian occupational therapists and occupational therapist assistants who identify as Black or Mixed race. Method. A qualitative thematic design was adopted; 11 occupational therapists and one occupational therapist assistant were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed and subsequently coded. Themes and subthemes were identified using thematic analysis. Seven participants engaged in a focus group to confirm preliminary findings. Findings. Five main themes were identified: textured hair is diverse, personal perceptions of textured hair, societal perceptions of textured hair, barriers to participating in textured hair care and addressing knowledge gaps in the profession. All themes are accompanied by subthemes. Conclusion. All participants acknowledged textured hair as a meaningful yet under-addressed occupation. This study begins a critical conversation based on lived experiences with textured hair to promote culturally safer research, education, and practice.

Background. Singing in choirs, which previous research has identified as supporting wellbeing, has been restricted and altered during the COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose. The purpose of this study is to investigate and describe the experience of music-making for musicians in professional and semi-professional choirs in Canada 18-22 months into the COVID-19 pandemic. Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 participants and analyzed using interpretive description. Findings. Four themes: (1) increased negative feelings associated with the music-making experience due to COVID-19 restrictions, (2) isolation and disconnection, (3) recognizing how music-making aids in their own mental health, the participants used music-making to help their communities cope with the pandemic, and (4) adapting in response to COVID-19 reinforced music-making's importance. Implications. Understanding how the COVID-19 pandemic has altered Canadian choral musicians' experience of music-making can help occupational therapists in supporting choral musicians return to this meaningful occupation.

Occupational therapists support children with self-regulation needs to engage in meaningful occupations at home, school, and in the community. However, little is known about how Australian practitioners perceive their role working with children with self-regulation needs in the Australian healthcare context. Therefore, we explored the contemporary practice experiences of Australian occupational therapists working with children 4-12 years referred for self-regulation support, to better understand elements constituting efficacious service delivery to enhance occupational engagement. A qualitative descriptive design, underpinned by constructivism and relativism, was implemented to address the research aim. Occupational therapists were recruited online to participate in audio-recorded focus groups and interviews. The audio recordings were anonymised, transcribed verbatim, and analysed through reflexive thematic analysis. No consumers were involved in the study design or analysis. Four themes were generated, encapsulating the experience of 13 occupational therapists working with children with self-regulation needs: (1) navigating the complexities of self-regulation, (2) intervening to support the child and surrounding systems, (3) bringing the occupational therapy perspective to the self-regulation puzzle, and (4) working within an evolving practice context. Themes 1-3 describe specific processes that all occurred within the context of Theme 4. Overall, participants detailed successful practice to support children with self-regulation needs to participate in meaningful occupations that required person-centredness, collaboration, coaching, and adaptability of therapists responding to different stakeholder demands. Self-regulation is a complex area of practice, and occupational therapists have a key role in supporting occupational engagement by balancing the child's needs with those of family, other stakeholders, and funding bodies. Findings support occupational therapists and decision-makers advocating for the unique role of occupational therapy in supporting self-regulation in childhood as part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary approach. Specific consideration must also be given to ways that current funding schemes in Australia enable occupational therapy services for children with self-regulation needs. Controlling emotions and behaviours is sometimes called 'self-regulation'. Some children find this hard and need help from an occupational therapist, who knows a lot about the body and the systems within it. A lot of occupational therapists in Australia help children with their self-regulation. There is not much known about how these therapists see their role in working with these children. We wanted to understand what it is like for occupational therapists who help children, between 4 and 12 years old, with their self-regulation. We interviewed 13 occupational therapists from across Australia and analysed what they said. The data showed four main points: (1) understanding the challenges of self-regulation, (2) helping the child and their environment, (3) using an occupational therapy approach to solve self-regulation issues, and (4) working in a changing practice environment. The therapists described how important it is to focus on the child, work together with many people like caregivers and teachers, and being flexible. They talked about how they balance the needs of the child, family, and funding bodies, which could sometimes be tricky. The study shows the things that therapists are doing when working with children who need help with their self-regulation and the things that therapists find hard working in this space. The results of the study can be used by people who advocate for services that help children and by people who make decisions about Australia's healthcare. One way the study can be used is to think about how current funding schemes do or do not allow different people and professions to work together to support children's self-regulation. Even though there were some limitations, such as a low response rate due to the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, we did interview therapists from different parts of Australia who work in different settings to each other.

Introduction: There are various personal and environmental factors that hinder the stroke survivors’ participation in meaningful occupations within a rural and semi-rural community context. Thus, occupational therapists need to consider such barriers in order to provide holistic treatment. Aim: This study intended to explore the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations in a rural and semi-rural community. Method: An explorative qualitative study was conducted, using a purposive sampling method to recruit participants at a public healthcare district hospital. Data were collected at the participants’ homes using individual semi-structured interviews. The researcher made use of open-ended questions guided by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 3rd edition and the Person Environment Occupation Performance model. Findings: Four themes related to the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations emerged: (i) physical barriers, (i) psychological barriers, (iii) financial and (iv) environmental barriers. Conclusion: The barriers explored in this study compelled the stroke survivors to accept varying degrees of assistance from their caregivers. The findings of this study could assist occupational therapists to consider the factors that hinder the stroke survivors’ participation in meaningful occupations in rural and semi-rural South African communities, and inform treatment aims that are relevant to the respective communities. If occupational therapists consider these barriers when planning treatment, this could assist with maximizing in- dependence in all areas of stroke survivors’ lives, lessening the burden of care on their caregivers and decreasing the patient load on clinical and community occupational therapists. Implications for practice Stroke survivors dwelling in the semi-rural and rural community contexts experience barriers which are unique to such settings. Thus, occupational therapist should be aware of the differences of barriers experienced not only in the hospital setting, but in the community context that stroke survivors are reintegrated to. Such consideration could contribute to intervention focussed on the individual’s specific needs with regard to participation in meaningful occupations within the semi-rural and rural contexts they reside in.

Introduction: There are various personal and environmental factors that hinder the stroke survivors’ participation in meaningful occupations within a rural and semi-rural community context. Thus, occupational therapists need to consider such barriers in order to provide holistic treatment. Aim: This study intended to explore the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations in a rural and semi-rural community. Method: An explorative qualitative study was conducted, using a purposive sampling method to recruit participants at a public healthcare district hospital. Data were collected at the participants’ homes using individual semi-structured interviews. The researcher made use of open-ended questions guided by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 3rd edition and the Person Environment Occupation Performance model. Findings: Four themes related to the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations emerged: (i) physical barriers, (i) psychological barriers, (iii) financial and (iv) environmental barriers. Conclusion: The barriers explored in this study compelled the stroke survivors to accept varying degrees of assistance from their caregivers. The findings of this study could assist occupational therapists to consider the factors that hinder the stroke survivors’ participation in meaningful occupations in rural and semi-rural South African communities, and inform treatment aims that are relevant to the respective communities. If occupational therapists consider these barriers when planning treatment, this could assist with maximizing in- dependence in all areas of stroke survivors’ lives, lessening the burden of care on their caregivers and decreasing the patient load on clinical and community occupational therapists. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Stroke survivors dwelling in the semi-rural and rural community contexts experience barriers which are unique to such settings. Thus, occupational therapist should be aware of the differences of barriers experienced not only in the hospital setting, but in the community context that stroke survivors are reintegrated to. Such consideration could contribute to intervention focussed on the individual’s specific needs with regard to participation in meaningful occupations within the semi-rural and rural contexts they reside in.

INTRODUCTION: There are various personal and environmental factors that hinder the stroke survivors' participation in meaningful occupations within a rural and semi-rural community context. Thus, occupational therapists need to consider such barriers in order to provide holistic treatment AIM: This study intended to explore the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations in a rural and semi-rural community METHOD: An explorative qualitative study was conducted, using a purposive sampling method to recruit participants at a public healthcare district hospital. Data were collected at the participants' homes using individual semi-structured interviews. The researcher made use of open-ended questions guided by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 3rd edition and the Person Environment Occupation Performance model FINDINGS: Four themes related to the barriers experienced by stroke survivors on their participation in meaningful occupations emerged: (i) physical barriers, (i) psychological barriers, (iii) financial and (iv) environmental barriers CONCLUSION: The barriers explored in this study compelled the stroke survivors to accept varying degrees of assistance from their caregivers. The findings of this study could assist occupational therapists to consider the factors that hinder the stroke survivors' participation in meaningful occupations in rural and semi-rural South African communities, and inform treatment aims that are relevant to the respective communities. If occupational therapists consider these barriers when planning treatment, this could assist with maximizing independence in all areas of stroke survivors' lives, lessening the burden of care on their caregivers and decreasing the patient load on clinical and community occupational therapists Implications for practice Stroke survivors dwelling in the semi-rural and rural community contexts experience barriers which are unique to such settings. Thus, occupational therapist should be aware of the differences of barriers experienced not only in the hospital setting, but in the community context that stroke survivors are reintegrated to. Such consideration could contribute to intervention focussed on the individual's specific needs with regard to participation in meaningful occupations within the semi-rural and rural contexts they reside in.

Introduction Engagement in meaningful occupations is of central importance in mental health recovery. The purpose of this study was to gain a richer understanding of the relationships between occupations, sources of meaning and recovery for people living with mental illness. Method People living with mental illness ( n = 78) attending an Australian Clubhouse completed the recovery assessment scale and socially valued role classification scale. Qualitative and quantitative data were analysed using mixed methods. Findings The most meaningful occupations were those most likely to provide opportunities for social connection and being valued by others. The frequency with which these socially derived sources of meaning were identified far outweighed other sources: positive sense of self; skills/personal development; time use/routine; financial gain and fun/pleasure. Neither the occupations identified as most meaningful nor the source of meaning differed depending on level of recovery. Conclusion Irrespective of stage of recovery, socially derived aspects of meaning are most frequently prioritized by people living with mental illness. In facilitating engagement in personally meaningful occupations, occupational therapists need to understand that, for many, meaningfulness centres around inter-dependence: being with others, belonging, giving or contributing and being valued by others.

Forced migration creates multiple barriers to everyday life, including individual’s access to dignified and meaningful daily occupations. Without the activities that form family life, self-care, work, leisure, and community participation, individuals can find themselves struggling to fill the hours in their days and feeling they exist on the margins of society. This article reflects the findings of a small-scale phenomenological study exploring the meaning of everyday occupations to people seeking asylum in the UK. A series of in-depth interviews, conducted with 10 people, explored the role of daily occupation in their country of origin and in the UK. The study found that restrictions on daily activities had a significant impact on their well-being and sense of self-worth. They highlighted how limited their opportunities were and acknowledged the value of meaningful daily occupations as a means to ‘keep busy with purpose’. There is growing evidence that occupation has the potential to be of benefit to people during the post-migratory period: maintaining health, preserving key skills, retaining a sense of self, and increasing integration. This study shows the multiple gains associated with purposeful activity, including how the right kind of occupation can promote self-worth at a time when people often feel devalued. The article encourages the reader to consider how increased access to activity can promote well-being and to consider challenging the occupational injustices behind asylum policy.

Introduction Occupational therapists believe that meaningful occupations are linked to an individual’s health and wellbeing, and there is a growing literature exploring the personal meaning of specific occupations. However, few of these studies have focused on the personal meaning of active sporting occupations and their therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to explore the personal meanings attributed to the occupation of cycling, with a view to providing occupational therapists and others with an understanding of its therapeutic potential. Method Following approval by an ethics committee, seven men and women who cycled regularly took part in semi-structured interviews. These interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to interpret the data. Findings The findings describe how and why cycling was meaningful. Cycling altered their mind-set and their emotions, contributed towards their identity and connected them to others. These themes concur with the findings of other studies and provide a rationale for their use therapeutically. Conclusion This study contributes to what is known about the value people derive from cycling, and its impact on their health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists can use this information for individual and group therapy as well as for guidance on the health and wellbeing of communities.

Purpose This paper aims to explore the perspectives of occupational therapists working in Irish mental health services on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) service and its relationship with occupational therapy. IPS, introduced in Ireland in 2015 as an evidence-based approach to vocational rehabilitation, has consistently demonstrated superior employment outcomes for people with mental illness compared to traditional “train, then place” models. While IPS aligns closely with occupational therapy values and theory, the perspectives of occupational therapists on its implementation and inter-relationship with their profession have not been previously examined. Design/methodology/approach Six occupational therapists with experience of IPS were recruited through the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in early 2024, and reflexive thematic analysis identified three key themes. Findings The themes identified were characteristics of IPS, facilitation of IPS and interplay between Occupational Therapy and IPS. Therapists appreciated the structured, evidence-based approach of IPS and its benefits for service users. Although overlap exists between the occupational therapy role and that of the IPS employment specialist – given the shared value placed on work as a meaningful occupation – therapists highlighted the distinctive, specialist skills of employment specialists. These skills were seen as complementary to occupational therapy, addressing a key need in mental health services. Originality/value This study provides new insight into how occupational therapists view the relationship between IPS and their own role. It highlights how the two professions can work collaboratively, offering guidance on supporting employment specialists within multidisciplinary mental health teams.

Studies are showing that urban community gardening can improve people's psychological and physiological health in myriad ways. Community gardens increase social capital, provide opportunities for altruism, and create accessible and sustainable food sources in urban environments. The purpose of this study was to explore the mental, social, and physical health benefits of participation in an urban community garden in Edmonton, Canada. A focused ethnography was conducted with surveys and semi-structured interviews. Surveys were sent to volunteers and customers of the Green and Gold Garden (GGG). This was followed by focus group interviews with eight volunteers and four customers. The interview format comprised open-ended questions that encouraged participants to share their perceptions of the health and well-being benefits from being at the GGG. Data were coded via inductive coding, and subsequently categorized into themes via an iterative, reflective process. Four health-related themes were generated from thematic analysis: physical health, social health, mental/emotional health, and connection to the global community. Spending time at the GGG improved the respondents' mental health, even during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they reported feelings of altruism, serenity, and connection with nature. Their social health was improved through gathering with other garden members in a sheltered urban green space within the city limits. This study supports the idea that participation in an urban community garden confers health benefits and engenders a greater awareness of, and appreciation for, the local environment and expands one's scope of care to incorporate planetary health.

Background: Despite policies promoting transport inclusivity, persons with disabilities in South Africa experience difficulties when accessing public transport. Poor community mobility hampers community integration and participation in occupations outside the home. This article describes the psychosocial community mobility experiences, of stroke survivors using wheelchairs in a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Method: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. Implications for practice • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration

Background: Despite policies promoting transport inclusivity, persons with disabilities in South Africa experience difficulties when accessing public transport. Poor community mobility hampers community integration and participation in occupations outside the home. This article describes the psychosocial community mobility experiences, of stroke survivors using wheelchairs in a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Method: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. Implications for practice • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration

Background: Despite policies promoting transport inclusivity, persons with disabilities in South Africa experience difficulties when accessing public transport. Poor community mobility hampers community integration and participation in occupations outside the home. This article describes the psychosocial community mobility experiences, of stroke survivors using wheelchairs in a town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Method: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. Implications for practice • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration: The study used a descriptive qualitative design. The study population were community dwelling stroke survivors, from Worcester, using wheelchairs. Data was collected from eight participants through semi-structured telephonic interviews. Inductive thematic analysis was used. Findings: The four themes derived from the data were: Freedom of movement (My power chair, my Ferrari’), Social anxiety (People stare at you like they do not have a heart), Dependency (I must dance along to his fiddle), and Social isolation (You feel done in, dejected). Participants identified wheelchairs, private vehicles, and mini-bus taxis as modes of community mobility. Conclusion: When transport barriers prevent dignified, spontaneous community integration negative psychosocial consequences (social anxiety, dependency, and social isolation) followed. Community mobility barriers hampered participants’ ability to participate in meaningful occupations and left them isolated. Occupational therapists should take cognisance of the community mobility challenges wheelchair users might experience and implement intervention strategies to mediate these. Implications for practice • Community mobility is essential to perform occupations outside the residential setting and must be included in occupational therapy assessment and intervention strategies. • Occupational therapists can empower individuals with mobility impairments with the life skills to manage psychological challenges caused by accessing public transport and decreased community mobility. • Occupational therapy intervention for wheelchair users accessing public transport should include effective, appropriate transfer strategies to embark and disembark from minibus taxis. • In certain circumstances the occupational therapist should consider the possibility of a motorised wheeled mobility device to facilitate community integration