Therapy Literature Research Articles

Bibliotherapy as a recreational therapy intervention in pediatric oncology

Objective: To examine the literature, facilitate understanding of the intervention and contribute to the evidence-based practice on the use of bibliotherapy with children who have cancer to facilitate coping skills for anxiety.Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine the practice of bibliotherapy when used with children who have cancer and implications for recreational therapy practice were developed.Results: While the research on bibliotherapy is limited in recreational therapy literature, there is evidence that it can reduce anxiety and facilitate coping skills for children living with cancer.

High-Fidelity Simulation in an Entry-Level Physical Therapy Program: A Format for Debriefing

Purpose: The importance of debriefing after high-fidelity simulation (HFS) is well accepted; however, no recommendations exist in physical therapy literature for how best to do this. The primary purpose of this study was to describe a format for debriefing and a secondary purpose was to report student responses to the educational benefit of that process. Methods: Based on a review of the literature and the HFS case objectives, a semi-structured debriefing format using open-ended questions was developed. Students were surveyed regarding the educational benefit of the debriefing process and the effectiveness of the debriefer using open-ended and Likert-scale questions. These responses were analyzed. Results: After each of the 3 HFS experiences, an experienced faculty member facilitated the debriefing process by moving students through a reaction, analysis, and summary phase. Based on student feedback, the debriefing format used seemed to be effective in providing an opportunity for student reflection. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the perceived educational benefit of debriefing and the effectiveness of the debriefer. Conclusions: A semi-structured debriefing session after HFS, modeled on best practices in the literature, resulted in high student satisfaction. Future research should focus on standardization of the debriefing session and validating a debriefing tool.

Music Therapists’ Preparation for Song Discussion: Meaning-Making With the Music

AbstractSongs are powerful catalysts and resources for change processes in music psychotherapy. Not surprisingly, music therapists often invite clients to listen to recordings of popular songs. A common song listening method is song discussion, in which a therapist selects a relevant song to explore with a client or group and facilitates the listening and subsequent verbal processing. In the relevant music therapy literature, lyrics assume a primary focus (i.e., lyric analysis), and yet, the music of a song, as integrated with its lyrics, impacts both client’s and therapist’s meaning-making and is therefore crucial to take into account. The purpose of the present investigative essay is to encourage music therapists to give attention to the music of recorded songs as they plan to facilitate song discussion. Herein I present a conceptualization of recorded popular songs and consider how one makes meaning from song listening processes. I urge therapists to prepare for song discussion through careful phenomenological listening and introspective interpretation. Finally, I describe procedures of a developing model for aural song analysis and interpretation based on Bruscia’s Improvisation Assessment Profiles (IAPs) with an abbreviated example viewed through multiple theoretical perspectives.

Multifaceted Approach to Enhance Pill-Swallowing Ability in Children and Adults With Barth Syndrome

People with Barth syndrome (BTHS) present with sensory and motor deficits that affect their ability to swallow medications in solid form. Inability to swallow pills can reduce opportunities for people with BTHS to participate in clinical trial research. To evaluate the effectiveness of a brief, multifaceted pill-swallowing program that used evidence-based training methods. Pretest-posttest with 6-mo follow-up. Community setting. A convenience sample of children, adolescents, and adults with a genetically confirmed diagnosis of BTHS. Possible intervention strategies included behavioral approaches (e.g., shaping), adaptive approaches, and positioning approaches. Interventions were tailored to each participant's needs and were carried out by occupational therapy practitioners with advanced training in feeding and eating. Pill-swallowing milestones were ranked on a scale ranging from 0 to 12; participants were scored pretraining, immediately posttraining, and at 6-mo posttraining. Sixteen participants with BTHS, ages 6-34 yr, participated in the training. Fourteen of the 16 participants demonstrated improvement in their pill-swallowing ability. Overall, there was a statistically significant change in pill-swallowing ability from pretraining to posttraining, and these changes were maintained after 6 mo. and Relevance: This study suggests that a brief multifaceted training approach, led by trained professionals, may be effective for helping people with sensory and motor deficits learn to swallow pills independently. Very little has been published in the occupational therapy literature describing how to teach the skill of pill swallowing to clients or how to measure progress toward this goal. This study tested the outcomes of a multifaceted approach to pill swallowing that can be conducted by occupational therapy practitioners; a novel measurement approach is also introduced that can be used with clients in clinical practice.

How Qualitative Case Study Methodology Informs Occupational Therapy Practice: A Scoping Review

Qualitative case study methodology (QCSM) is a useful research approach that has grown in popularity within the social sciences; however, it has received less attention in the occupational therapy literature. The current scoping review aims to explore how studies utilizing a QCSM help inform occupational therapy knowledge and practice. Electronic searches were conducted in April 2017, and the resultant 388 publications were screened by three reviewers in Covidence. In all, 27 publications met the inclusion criteria and were included in the scoping review. Case studies in the occupational therapy literature have explored phenomena relating to the delivery of intervention, theoretical concepts, clinical reasoning, and education and research methods and were situated in a range of different practice areas and contexts. QCSM is a valuable approach in occupational therapy research that contributes to the body of knowledge and theory that informs occupational therapy practice.

Biblioterapia w psychoterapii indywidualnej i grupach wsparcia kobiet zmagających się z problemem niepłodności

<p>W artykule przedstawiono podstawowe założenia teoretyczne i metodologiczne na temat zastosowania biblioterapii (z użyciem tekstów biblijnych oraz literatury współczesnej) w psychoterapii indywidualnej i grupowej kobiet dotkniętych problemem niepłodności. Biblioterapia jako środek wspierający proces psychoterapeutyczny nie tylko pozwoli niepłodnym uzyskać wgląd w przeżywaną aktualnie trudną sytuację życiową, ale także odreagować tłumione i nieuświadomione emocje, a w końcu nadać własnej niepłodności jednostkowy sens pozbawiony powierzchownych schematów i zewnętrznych wpływów.</p>

Assessing the Completeness of Reporting in Preclinical Oncolytic Virus Therapy Studies

Irreproducibility of preclinical findings could be a significant barrier to the “bench-to-bedside” development of oncolytic viruses (OVs). A contributing factor is the incomplete and non-transparent reporting of study methodology and design. Using the NIH Principles and Guidelines for Reporting Preclinical Research, a core set of seven recommendations, we evaluated the completeness of reporting of preclinical OV studies. We also developed an evidence map identifying the current trends in OV research. A systematic search of MEDLINE and Embase identified all relevant articles published over an 18 month period. We screened 1,554 articles, and 236 met our a priori-defined inclusion criteria. Adenovirus (43%) was the most commonly used viral platform. Frequently investigated cancers included colorectal (14%), skin (12%), and breast (11%). Xenograft implantation (61%) in mice (96%) was the most common animal model. The use of preclinical reporting guidelines was listed in 0.4% of articles. Biological and technical replicates were completely reported in 1% of studies, statistics in 49%, randomization in 1%, blinding in 2%, sample size estimation in 0%, and inclusion/exclusion criteria in 0%. Overall, completeness of reporting in the preclinical OV therapy literature is poor. This may hinder efforts to interpret, replicate, and ultimately translate promising preclinical OV findings.

Scoping review of mentoring research in the occupational therapy literature, 2002-2018.

Mentoring affords personalised learning for professional growth. Research across disciplines has shown mentoring to positively affect behaviour, attitude, motivation, job performance, organisational commitment, and career productivity and success. This study was conducted to provide an overview of research focussed on mentoring practices and related outcomes specific to the occupational therapy profession. This study follows Arksey and O'Malley's five main scoping review stages. PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Web of Science, ERIC, Social Services Abstract, ScienceDirect and ProQuest databases were searched for mentoring practices in the occupational therapy profession. Inclusion criteria were: empirical studies of mentoring provided to occupational therapy students, practitioners, faculty and researchers, published in English between January 2002 and December 2018. Studies of mentoring provided to occupational therapy clients were excluded. Data were extracted for quantitative information about study characteristics and qualitative information about mentoring processes and outcomes. Of 1313 retrieved resources, 20 empirical studies were selected for analysis. In these studies, occupational therapy entry-level students, post-professional students, educators, researchers and clinicians were mentored in education, research and clinical areas of practice. Mentoring definitions, rationale, approaches and measurement methods were varied. Mentoring processes and relationships were facilitated by mechanisms of creating a plan, using mentoring strategies and providing support. Common defining terms, mechanisms and outcomes of mentoring were extracted and categorised into: support, learning, process and relationship. Mentoring outcomes were related to knowledge acquisition and translation, professional behaviours, increased productivity and professional networking. This scoping review presented commonalities of mentoring definitions, mechanisms and outcomes in empirically studied mentoring experiences and programmes in the occupational therapy profession. Methodological gaps in this research emphasise the need for occupational therapy practitioners and researchers to continue researching mentoring experiences by integrating theoretical frameworks, uniform definitions, rigorous design and standardised measures to evaluate the effectiveness of mentoring.

Abstracts from the 2018 Research and Thesis Poster Session of the 53rd Annual American Dance Therapy Association Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah

The Research and Practice Committee of the American Dance Therapy Association (ADTA) has sponsored the research poster session at each annual conference for the past 23 years. The studies represented in the following abstracts were presented at the 2018 Research and Thesis Poster Session of the 53rd Annual ADTA conference in Salt Lake City, Utah and feature a wide range of scholarly works in current dance/movement therapy research. The following sixteen studies have been selected for their quality and contributions to dance/movement therapy literature.

Examining the intersection of policy and occupational therapy: A scoping review.

Policy has direct bearing on occupational therapy practice and is a key dimension of the environment. To date, there has not been a synthesis of how policy is addressed in the occupational therapy literature. The purpose of this review is to identify and analyze the ways that policy is addressed in the occupational therapy literature. We conducted a scoping review of literature on policy and occupational therapy. Articles were analyzed deductively using a policy framework and inductively to identify overarching themes. Sixty-four papers were included for analysis. We present the descriptive information of the included articles according to policy type, sphere of action, stage of policy development, level, and actors. The qualitative analysis uncovered two broad concepts: "awareness" about the relationship between policy and practice and messages pertaining to "action." There are numerous areas for further research into the policy-occupational therapy nexus, as policy has numerous pathways to shape practice. Practitioners will benefit from better understanding these pathways and actively engaging to align policy with the values of the profession.

Optimizing live-animal bioluminescence imaging prediction of tumor burden in human prostate cancer xenograft models in SCID-NSG mice.

Noninvasive live-animal longitudinal monitoring of xenograft tumor growth and metastasis by bioluminescent imaging (BLI) has been widely reported in cancer biology and preclinical therapy literature, mainly in athymic nude mice. Our own experience at calibrating BLI readout with tumor weight/volume in human prostate cancer xenograft models in haired, SCID-NSG mice through intraprostatic (orthotopic) and subcutaneous (SC) inoculations revealed either nonexistent or poor correlation (coefficient of determination, R 2 = ~0.01-0.3). The present work examined several technical and biological factors to improve BLI utility. After ruling out promoter-luciferase (luc) specificity and luc gene loss in the cell inoculum with LNCaP-AR-luc cells expressing an androgen receptor (AR) and taggedwith AR-responsive probasin promoter-luc gene, we evaluated different routes of d-luciferin administration, imaging time during the day, charge-coupled device camera image acquisition settings, and hair removal methods to improve the imaging protocol. For most imaging sessions, BLI was carried out within the same day of tumor volume measurement. After necropsy, histological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed on the tumors to evaluate necrosis and expression of luciferase and AR, respectively. Injection of d-luciferin by SC route, robust image-capture setting (30 000 counts and autoexposure), imaging in the morning and thorough hair removal resulted in a substantial improvement of R2 to ~0.6. Histological analyses confirmed the lack of BLI signal in necrotic tumor masses consistent with luciferase-mediated light emission only in oxygenated adenosine triphosphate-producing viable cells. IHC staining detected heterogeneous expression of luciferase tracking generally with AR expression in nonnecrotic tumor tissues. Our body of work highlighted a framework to validate imaging protocols to ensure the acquisition of interpretable BLI data as an indicator of xenograft tumor burden. The vast tissue heterogeneity in prostate tumor xenografts and variable luciferase expression constrained this technology from achieving a high correlation.

Surgical therapy of adrenal tumors: guidelines from the German Association of Endocrine Surgeons (CAEK).

Previous guidelines addressing surgery of adrenal tumors required actualization in adaption of developments in the area. The present guideline aims to provide practical and qualified recommendations on an evidence-based level reviewing the prevalent literature for the surgical therapy of adrenal tumors referring to patients of all age groups in operative medicine who require adrenal surgery. It primarily addresses general and visceral surgeons but offers information for all medical doctors related to conservative, ambulatory or inpatient care, rehabilitation, and general practice as well as pediatrics. It extends to interested patients to improve the knowledge and participation in the decision-making process regarding indications and methods of management of adrenal tumors. Furthermore, it provides effective medical options for the surgical treatment of adrenal lesions and balances positive and negative effects. Specific clinical questions addressed refer to indication, diagnostic procedures, effective therapeutic alternatives to surgery, type and extent of surgery, and postoperative management and follow-up regime. A PubMed research using specific key words identified literature to be considered and was evaluated for evidence previous to a formal Delphi decision process that finalized consented recommendations in a multidisciplinary setting. Overall, 12 general and 52 specific recommendations regarding surgery for adrenal tumors were generated and complementary comments provided. Effective and balanced medical options for the surgical treatment of adrenal tumors are provided on evidence-base. Specific clinical questions regarding indication, diagnostic procedures, alternatives to and type as well as extent of surgery for adrenal tumors including postoperative management are addressed.

Toward a radical practice: A recuperative critique of improvisation in music therapy using intersectional feminist theory

In this recuperative critique the author analyzes aspects of music therapy improvisation, including the therapeutic relationship, music, and the act of improvisation as well as its inherent body politics and its understandings of situated knowledge, from an intersectional feminist perspective. Based upon this analysis, the author invites readers to reconsider and reshape the accepted theories and practices of improvisation in music therapy. Links are made to relevant music therapy literature. Recommendations are offered to establish intersectional awareness as a foundational competency in music therapy improvisation.

Various BhCG monitoring protocols for predicting the success of single-dose methotrexate in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy

We investigated various monitoring protocols on the success of methotrexate therapy in patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy. The data from patients who received single-dose methotrexate therapy as their first-line treatment was reviewed. The Beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (BhCG) days 1–4 and days 1–7 follow-up protocols were compared with the BhCG day 4–7 follow-up protocol, in terms of the treatment. Cut-off values were determined for the reduction of BhCG between the days 1–4 and days 1–7. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of the demographic data, except for BhCG fourth- and seventh-day values. There was a 21% decrease in BhCG between days 1 and 4 and a 32% decrease for BhCG between days 1 and 7 as good predictors for treatment success. These follow-up protocols allow earlier and more cost-effective methods than the protocol based on a 15% reduction in BhCG levels between days 4 and 7.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? A decrease of 15% BhCG levels between days 4 and 7 is a common protocol for predicting the success of a single-dose methotrexate therapy of an ectopic pregnancy.What do the results of this study add? This clinical study offers the cut-off values for the various BhCG follow-up protocols recently found in the literature for single-dose methotrexate therapy for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? We identified the importance of fourth-day BhCG for measuring the success of single-dose methotrexate therapy. Therefore, after randomised, multicentre, prospective clinical trials, the most common follow-up protocol can be changed to a single-dose methotrexate therapy for ectopic pregnancy.

Implementing internet-delivered cognitive behavioural therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease and psychological distress: a scoping review.

Comorbid psychological distress (i.e. insomnia and depression) is experienced by 20-40% of patients with cardiovascular disease. This has a considerable impact on their health and quality of life, leading to frequent re-hospitalisations, higher healthcare costs and a shorter life expectancy. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy shows great potential for treating psychological distress in cardiovascular disease. Effective and feasible treatments can, however, only benefit patients if they are fully implemented in clinical care. This scoping review aimed to explore the literature for internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy in cardiovascular disease and for strategies to implement the intervention. We searched electronic databases, journals and internet sources to find original studies about internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy in cardiovascular disease, adhering to scoping methodology guidelines. After identifying 267 titles, we screened 40 abstracts and chose 11 full-text articles for full-text screening. The results sections in four articles were searched for outcomes that related to the effectiveness and implementation of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy by directed qualitative content analysis using an implementation framework. Three of the four articles fulfilling the inclusion criteria concerned internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for treating mild to moderate depressive symptoms in cardiovascular disease, and none focused on insomnia. The studies showed evidence for the effectiveness of internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy, and/or described patient factors influencing clinical effectiveness. Our qualitative content analysis showed that many implementation aspects and stakeholder perspectives remain unexplored. Internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy promises to alleviate patient suffering in cardiovascular disease. There is, however, little research about internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy for cardiovascular disease, and about how this evidence-based intervention is implemented.

Understanding quality of life within occupational therapy intervention research: A scoping review

There is little consensus regarding the meaning of quality of life (QOL) within occupational therapy literature. Measurement of QOL has varied in both research and practice. This scoping review explored the definitions and measures used within occupational therapy quantitative intervention research to evaluate QOL as an outcome. The review was completed by searching six databases using occupational therapy-related and QOL-related terms. Data were extracted from each article and authors performed descriptive statistics to establish trends for both definitions and measures. Eighteen publications met the inclusion criteria. Seven articles included a definition of QOL. Most authors defined QOL as a multidimensional construct, comprised of varying domains. Fourteen different standardised measures and two non-standardised measures were utilised. A clear conceptualisation of QOL that incorporates occupational therapy values such as client-centredness and holism is needed to advocate for the profession's role in health care and to encourage the development of suitable outcome measures.

Understanding the meaning and use of occupational engagement: Findings from a scoping review

Introduction It is theorized that occupational therapy practice is underpinned by the construct of occupational engagement, with a focus on examining the subjective meaning of occupation. The theoretical definition of occupational engagement presents significant challenges to its use, evaluation, and measurement within evidence-based contemporary occupational therapy practice. Method A scoping review was conducted to examine how occupational engagement is defined within occupational therapy literature and how occupational engagement is evaluated. Results Twenty-six journal articles were identified. Definitions were fragmented and inconsistent across studies. Key themes relating to definitions of occupational engagement included active involvement in occupation, finding value and meaning, balanced engagement, subjective experience of engagement, developing identity through occupation, and social and environmental interactions. Measures seeking to understand occupational engagement were varied across studies, with a consistent measure applied only in the area of mental health. Conclusion The lack of consistency in definitions and measurement of occupational engagement presents significant issues for occupational therapy practice and evaluation. There is a need for a common definition of occupational engagement to be applied in the literature. Outcome measures seeking to understand occupational engagement are also required; however, these rely on a clearly defined construct.

Physiotherapy management of lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy: A narrative review

Introduction: Lumbar disc herniation with radiculopathy (LDHR) has been one of the most difficult conditions to manage among low back disorders. Individuals with chronic or recurring lumbar radiculopathy experience difficulties returning to work due to poor lower limb neuromuscular control. Given the consequences of LDHR, there is the need for effective treatment approaches that will be helpful in the amelioration of the problem. Objectives: In this study the most recent physical therapy literature in the management of patients with LDHR was evaluated. Methods: A literature review was conducted from inception to January 2019 in the PubMed, PEDro, and OTseeker databases. Results: Fifteen studies relating to the physiotherapy managements of LDHR were identified and discussed. Out of these studies, 1 study was a cohort study and 14 studies were randomized controlled trials. 5 studies examined the effects of physical therapy modalities, 6 studes examined the effects of physical therapy/exercises and 4 studies examined the effects of spinal manipulation (SM) in the management of LDHR. Conclusion: The findings of this study concluded that extension-oriented treatment approach, SM and lumbar stabilization exercise in combination with low power laser therapy are better than any physiotherapy intervention in the management of LDHR.

Cohesion in group therapy: A meta-analysis.

Cohesion is the most popular of the relationship constructs in the group therapy literature. This article reviews common definitions of cohesion, the most frequently studied measures, and a measure that may clarify group relations using two latent factors (quality and structure) to explain common variance among frequently used group relationship instruments. We present the results of a meta-analysis examining the relation between group cohesion and treatment outcome in 55 studies. Results indicate that the weighted aggregate correlation between cohesion and treatment outcome was statistically significant, r = .26, z = 6.54 (p < .01), reflecting a moderate effect size (d = .56). Heterogeneity of effect sizes was significant (Q = 260.84, df = 54, p < .001) and high (I2 = 79.3%), supporting moderator analyses. Six moderator variables were found to significantly predict the magnitude of the cohesion-outcome association (type of outcome measure, leader interventions to increase cohesion, theoretical orientation, type of group, emphasis on group interaction, and dose or number of group sessions). Patient contributions, diversity considerations, and evidence-based therapeutic practices are highlighted. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Bladder Preservation Therapy: Review of Literature and Future Directions of Trimodal Therapy.

This review targets the latest literature on bladder preservation therapy with emphasis on trimodal therapy (TMT), highlighting its role in the management of muscle invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) and outlining future directions in bladder preservation research. TMT is the most promising bladder preservation treatment modality. Comparable results to contemporary radical cystectomy series are seen in properly selected patients. A multidisciplinary team approach is critical in the management of these patients. Future research is directed at the integration of immunotherapy into the treatment protocol. TMT, involving maximal transurethral resection followed by chemoradiation, is an attractive alternative to radical cystectomy with urinary diversion in carefully selected patients with muscle invasive disease. In the absence of randomized trial (RCT), comparison between TMT and cystectomy, based on retrospective data from large centers, suggests comparable oncological outcomes, with a favorable impact on quality of life.