Occupational Therapy Intervention Research Articles

Early Occupational Therapy Intervention Programme and Coping Strategies and Burden in Caregivers of People with Sub-Acute Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Caregivers of people who have suffered a stroke experience a great burden and may use disengagement coping strategies. We studied the influence of an early occupational therapy intervention programme in the process of hospital-to-home discharge after stroke (EOTIPS) in a Spanish cohort that improved patients' quality of life and caregivers' burden and coping strategies. EOTIPS was delivered by a single occupational therapist. We conducted a prospective randomised controlled trial that included 60 adults who suffered a stroke, of which 91.6% had a caregiver who agreed to be involved in their care (n = 55). Evaluations assessed the caregivers' burden and coping strategies within two weeks post-stroke and after a three-month follow-up. Statistical analyses included intent-to-treat analysis (considering dropouts as failures) and efficacy analysis, considering only end-of-treatment participants. The caregivers in the intervention group showed a significantly better evolution in the main outcome measure of burden (p = 0.019), as well as in the coping strategies of social support (p = 0.037) and social withdrawal (p ≤ 0.001), compared with the control group. EOTIPS was effective in improving the caregivers' burden and two coping strategies, and it could be considered as an applicable tool that can minimise the risk of suffering burden.

Facilitators of and Barriers to Caregiver Adherence to Home Therapy Recommendations for Infants and Children With Neuromotor and Neuromuscular Diagnoses: A Scoping Review.

Caregiver-performed home therapy programs are essential to occupational therapy intervention for infants and children with neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnoses. Factors that facilitate or are barriers to caregiver adherence when making home therapy recommendations should be considered. To identify facilitators of and barriers to caregiver adherence to home therapy recommendations for children with neuromotor and neuromuscular disorders. The review followed the five-step methodological framework developed by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) and was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews. Searches with no language or date range limits were performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycINFO, and SocINDEX on the EBSCO platform, and Scopus on the Elsevier platform from database inception through January 24, 2023. Study inclusion criteria included caregiver adherence to home therapy recommendations for children with neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnoses. Eight hundred seventy-five articles underwent title and abstract screening; 64 articles met the criteria for full review. Twelve articles met the inclusion criteria. Four used qualitative measures, 7 used quantitative measures, and 1 used mixed methods. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed four facilitators: routine, efficacy of caregiver education, positive relationship with therapist, and perceived benefit of treatment. The analysis revealed three barriers: lack of time, lack of confidence, and caregiver stress. The facilitators and barriers identified are central to best-practice occupational therapy. Therapists can use expertise in analyzing routines and context to maximize the fit between family needs and home therapy recommendations. Plain-Language Summary: Home therapy for children with a neuromotor and neuromuscular diagnosis is common and uses some form of caregiver-performed movement activities or techniques. To support caregivers, occupational therapists need to understand what factors facilitate or serve as barriers to following home therapy recommendations. The review found three barriers: lack of time, lack of confidence, and caregiver stress. The review provides strategies to support home therapy based on core principles of occupational therapy practice. It also identifies the need for more research to support home therapy recommendations that fit within the child's and family's routine, that can be taught in a way that meets the child's and family's learning needs, that facilitate self-efficacy and confidence, and that reflect the values and motivators of all participants.

Exploring the impact of early-stage dementia on everyday activities

Introduction: This paper explores the impact that early-stage dementia has on everyday activities from the perspective of people living with dementia, their supporters and occupational therapy practitioners. Method: People living with dementia and their supporters ( n = 10), and occupational therapy practitioners ( n = 21) took part in semi-structured interviews, with transcripts analysed thematically. Findings: Six primary themes were identified across participants, namely: (1) ‘Everybody seems to be different, [but] they are similar’; (2) An awareness of change: ‘Something’s not quite right’; (3) ‘ Changes’ and ‘ difficulties’ associated with complex and unfamiliar activities; (4) Social withdrawal and exclusion: ‘I’ve felt like I was a leper’; (5) Post-diagnostic mental health: ‘. . . a dark place’; and (6) A process of adaptation: ‘I’m still who I am, I can still do things. . .’ Conclusion: Findings indicate that occupational therapy intervention programmes for people living with early-stage dementia should target difficulties associated with a broad range of activity types, and include components that target mental health and motivational needs. The study adds to existing knowledge about the need to personally tailor interventions to ensure that they meet individual needs, experiences, and circumstances. Findings will inform the development of an occupational therapy intervention programme theory (theory of change) for early-stage dementia.

Effect of occupational therapy on the occurrence of delirium in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Delirium poses a major challenge to global health care, yet there is currently a dearth of single effective interventions or medications. Particularly, addressing delirium induced by critical illness is a complex process. Occupational therapy is considered to have a high potential for use in the prevention of delirium, as it involves both cognitive training and training in ADL. To comprehensively analyze the effect of occupational therapy on delirium prevention, we evaluated the effects of occupational therapy vs. standard non-pharmacological prevention on incidence and duration of delirium, clinical outcomes and rehabilitation outcomes in critically ill patients. The data sources, including PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, were comprehensively searched from their inception until 15 October 2023. Following the PICOS principle, a systematic screening of literature was conducted to identify relevant studies. Subsequently, the quality assessment was performed to evaluate the risk of bias in the included literature. Finally, outcome measures from each study were extracted and comprehensive analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4. A total of four clinical trials met the selection criteria. The pooled analysis indicated no significant difference in the incidence and duration of delirium between the OT group and standard non-pharmacological interventions. A comprehensive analysis of clinical outcomes revealed that OT did not significantly reduce the length of hospital stay or ICU stay. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference in mortality rates between the two groups. It is noteworthy that although grip strength levels did not exhibit significant improvement following OT intervention, there were obvious enhancements observed in ADL and MMSE scores. Although occupational therapy may not be the most effective in preventing delirium, it has been shown to significantly improve ADL and cognitive function among critically ill patients. Therefore, we contend that occupational therapy is a valuable component of a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to managing delirium. In the future, high-quality researches are warranted to optimize the implementation of occupational therapy interventions for delirium prevention and further enhance their benefits for patients.

The acceptance of the potential use of social robots for children with autism spectrum disorder by Indonesian occupational therapists: a mixed methods study

Purpose Social robots have shown positive effects in treating children with autism spectrum disorder. The development of social robots in Indonesia has enabled their potential use in occupational therapy. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the acceptance of the potential use of social robots by Indonesian occupational therapists in clinical practice. Methods This study employed a mixed methods explanatory sequential design. An adapted unified theory of acceptance and use of technology model was utilised for the quantitative phase. The questionnaire explored the acceptance of social robots. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews with reflexive thematic analysis were conducted. The second phase aimed to explain the reasons behind the quantitative results and factors related to the acceptance of social robots in therapy. Results Occupational therapists showed high interest in using social robots in their sessions, as indicated by the significant positive relationship between performance expectancy and potential use. Three influential factors affecting acceptance emerged in the qualitative phase: occupational therapists’ characteristics and competencies, social robots and occupational therapy interventions, and environmental influence. Conclusions Indonesian occupational therapists have shown interest in using social robots. However, there are challenges regarding the practical application of social robots concerning individual differences in the factors that influence acceptance.

Characterizing Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children on the Autism Spectrum.

Occupational therapy is one of the most used interventions for children on the autism spectrum. There is a critical need to develop an operationalized list of key treatment components of usual-care occupational therapy practice for children on the autism spectrum. To identify and develop consensus on definitions and examples of key treatment components of usual-care occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum, ages 6 to 13 yr. We conducted a Delphi study to obtain feedback from a panel of experts. Electronic survey. 17 occupational therapy panelists with expertise in autism intervention. Panelists rated the definition and example of each treatment component and provided feedback through multiple rounds of survey. On the basis of the panelists' feedback on Delphi Round 1, the criteria rating form was revised to include four questions for the definition and example of each treatment component. Through four Delphi rounds of consensus building, we developed an operationalized list of 20 treatment components with definitions and examples that incorporated elements of usual-care occupational therapy intervention for children on the autism spectrum. This operationalized list of treatment components serves as a foundational framework to improve education, practice, and research of occupational therapy intervention for children on the autism spectrum. Plain-Language Summary: This study identified and developed consensus on definitions and examples of key treatment components used in usual-care outpatient occupational therapy for children on the autism spectrum. Through four rounds of consensus building with 17 occupational therapy experts in autism, we identified 20 key treatment components central to occupational therapy practice. Our results have the potential to serve as a framework to improve education, practice, and clinical research in autism.

Mobile Application Applied for Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for home rehabilitation services, leading to the development and rising demand for cognitive rehabilitation apps. However, a comprehensive analysis of the content and effectiveness of these apps is needed. This study systematically reviewed and analyzed the literature on mobile apps for cognitive rehabilitation. One researcher and an external expert conducted the study selection, data extraction, and quality assessment following the PRISMA Checklist 2020 guidelines. Our review of 18 studies identified 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (44.44%) of high quality and 10 non-RCT studies (55.56%) of moderate quality. Overall, 16 of the 18 studies (88.88%) demonstrated positive clinical implications for cognitive function after using cognitive rehabilitation apps. Eight studies showed a correlation between app use and improved cognitive function, and four highlighted the potential for cognitive function evaluation through apps. All studies employed various occupational therapy (OT) intervention approaches, with prevention being the most common (100%), followed by establishment and restoration (83.33%), maintenance (77.77%), and creation and promotion (38.88%). This study clinically validates the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation mobile applications from an occupational therapy perspective.

The Use of Occupational Therapy Interventions in a Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The Use of Occupational Therapy Interventions in a Hematology-Oncology Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

Response to intervention: The effects of tier 1 and tier 2 occupational therapy intervention on sensory processing for fifth-grade children

ABSTRACT Sensory processing impacts a student’s ability to participate in the classroom, yet there is a lack of studies analyzing the effect of occupational therapy (OT) services under the Response to Intervention (RtI) model on students’ sensory processing. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of a manualized OT intervention, using the RtI model, on sensory processing in general education fifth-grade students and teachers’ understanding of sensory processing. This pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study included an experimental group that received OT RtI (n = 17) and a control group that did not receive OT RtI but teachers attended a workshop on sensory processing (n = 27). Pretest and posttest results from the Sensory Processing Measure-2 (SPM-2) School Form and an online survey of teachers’ understanding of sensory processing were collected. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze pre- and post-intervention SPM-2 results for each participant. In the experimental group, one subcategory approached significance, a slight decline approaching significance in the planning subcategory, and no significant changes in the remaining subcategories. In the control group, one subcategory demonstrated significance. Teacher understanding and use of sensory processing strategies showed an overall improvement in both schools. Preliminary evidence suggests teacher workshops have the potential to improve teacher understanding of sensory processing.

Ayres Sensory Integration® Intervention for Autistic Children: A Telehealth Adaptation.

Ayres Sensory Integration® is an evidence-based, manualized occupational therapy intervention for autism that is delivered in person. A telehealth adaptation could bridge service gaps for families who may have challenges accessing services. To create a telehealth adaptation of the evidence-based manualized protocol of Ayres Sensory Integration using best practice for telehealth guidelines and to obtain input on the adaptation from experts. Online survey of U.S. telehealth experts and occupational therapy clinicians in fall and winter 2022. Two telehealth experts and six occupational therapy clinicians. Two Qualtrics surveys focused on perceived feasibility and acceptability, resources included, and clarity of instructions. Telehealth experts and occupational therapy clinicians rated the Ayres Sensory Integration telehealth adapted manual as easy to follow, aligned with telehealth best practices, and feasible for remote delivery. Suggestions for additional adaptations included adding resources for technology troubleshooting, intervention planning, rapport building, and continuing education. Suggested adaptations were made; the manual is ready for feasibility testing. Plain-Language Summary: This report is the first to describe a telehealth adaptation of Ayres Sensory Integration®. The manual provides comprehensive training and resources to support clinicians in delivering sensory integration, telehealth-based interventions to autistic children. Two telehealth experts and six occupational therapy clinicians rated the Ayres Sensory Integration telehealth adapted manual as easy to follow, aligned with telehealth best practices, and feasible for remote delivery. The manual will be available to clinicians after feasibility and pilot testing.

Exploring the Efficacy of a Remote Strategy-Based Intervention for People With Multiple Sclerosis With Everyday Memory Impairments: A Pilot Study.

This pilot study evaluates a remote strategy-based intervention for individuals with multiple sclerosis who experience everyday memory impairments. The intervention can potentially inform cognitive rehabilitation for this population. To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of an intervention (TELE-Self-GEN) to determine whether it can alleviate everyday memory impairments of individuals with multiple sclerosis. Pretest-posttest. Community. Ten adults with multiple sclerosis. Six synchronous treatment sessions were delivered online via Zoom. The treatment protocol embedded a memory strategy (self-generated learning) within a metacognitive framework, including self-awareness and self-management strategies. The treatment emphasizes when and how self-generation should be used. Measurements assessed feasibility and participants' satisfaction with the intervention and its delivery method, as well as memory, everyday memory, and functional performance. Participants expressed high satisfaction with the virtual treatment, highlighting its convenience as a key factor. Treatment resulted in improvements in memory performance, perceived memory ability in daily life, and functional performance. Results provide initial proof of concept in the utilization of a remotely delivered, strategy-based treatment approach to improve memory performance and functional abilities. The pilot data support a larger randomized clinical trial of the TELE-self-GEN. Plain-Language Summary: The results of this pilot study highlight the promising potential of TELE-self-GEN for people with multiple sclerosis (MS), who face memory challenges every day. This remotely delivered, strategy-based occupational therapy treatment approach, TELE-self-GEN, has the potential to significantly improve functional memory. The study participants reported improvements in their memory performance, perceived memory ability in daily life, and functional performance. These encouraging results serve as a foundation for more extensive clinical trials using TELE-self-GEN for people with MS.

Affective Contact in Autism: A Phenomenological Study of the Emotional Experiences of Autistic Adults.

Since the first descriptions of autism, difficulties with affective contact (e.g., interpersonal exchanges of feelings between individuals) have been considered a common feature of autism spectrum disorder, and these difficulties frequently manifest in occupational therapy interventions. To (1) explore how autistic young adults describe their emotions and (2) suggest ways to improve the affective contact between autistic clients and their therapists. Virtual focus group interviews. Online (Qualtrics) survey and Zoom focus groups. Autistic adults (N = 24) who met the following inclusion criteria: self-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or Asperger syndrome, age 18-35 yr, able to understand English, and able to participate in a focus group or individual interview using verbal or written communication. Two themes were noted and are presented in this article: (1) Autistic people experience complex emotions and (2) autistic people's emotions are often (mis)measured and (mis)understood. The findings indicate that autistic people experience diverse, complex, and intense emotions and that these are connected to occupation. This suggests that occupational therapists must be attuned to the emotional dimension of occupation when working with autistic clients and that autistic clients may benefit from the use of embodied language to reference their emotions. Occupational therapists can help autistic clients recognize their bodily changes when experiencing emotions and to better identify and regulate their emotions. The results also show that there were many cases nonautistic people misinterpreted the emotions of autistic people on the basis of their facial expressions or words. Plain-Language Summary: This article provides information about the emotional experiences of autistic people. The study found that autistic people experience complex emotions and that those emotions are often misinterpreted or misunderstood. The author provides information on how occupational therapists can use a neurodiversity-affirming and person-centered approach to support the emotional experiences of people in the autism community. Positionality Statement: In this article, identity-first language is used when referring to autistic adults. This deliberate choice aligns with the principles of the neurodiversity-affirming movement. Autistic self-advocates have indicated a preference for this style of language over person-first language. The author would also like to acknowledge their positionality. As both a neurodivergent researcher and a self-advocate for the disabled community, this style of language aligns with their own experiences of and beliefs about their disability.

Responsiveness and Minimal Clinically Important Difference of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure Among Patients With Frozen Shoulder.

Patient-reported outcome measures provide insights into intervention effects on patients. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) emphasizes identifying priorities in daily activity engagement and evaluating an individual's perception of changes over time. To assess the responsiveness of the COPM and the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) among patients with frozen shoulders. Prospective, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. Two physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics. Ninety-four patients with frozen shoulders enrolled in a previous study. Baseline and 3-mo evaluations of the COPM and other measures. Responsiveness was assessed using effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM). The MCID values were determined through a distribution-based approach, which used the 0.5 standard deviation and ES methods, and an anchor-based approach, which used the receiver operating characteristic curve method. The ES and SRM results indicated that the COPM had high responsiveness. The distribution-based MCID values for COPM Performance and COPM Satisfaction were 1.17 and 1.44, respectively. The anchor-based MCID values were 2.5 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.78, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.64-0.91]) and 2.1 (AUC = 0.76, 95% CI [0.60-0.91]), respectively. The findings suggest that the COPM is a responsive outcome measure for patients with frozen shoulder. The established MCID values for the COPM can be valuable for interpreting changes in patient performance and satisfaction, thus aiding clinical interventions and research planning. Plain-Language Summary: This is the first study to review the effectiveness of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) to determine the success of occupational therapy interventions for people with a frozen shoulder. The findings suggest that the COPM is an effective and valuable tool for clients with a frozen shoulder to understand their experiences and treatment priorities and to detect meaningful changes in their performance and satisfaction after an occupational therapy intervention.

Occupational therapy interventions to address hospital associated deconditioning among older people: A scoping review protocol

Background Hospital-acquired deconditioning (HAD) is recognised as a state of reduced physiological, psychological, and functional after an acute hospitalization. Older people, particularly those with physical and social complexities are at risk of hospital-associated deconditioning, which is associated with increased length of stay in hospital, institutionalization, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Thus, identification of effective approaches for the assessment, management, and prevention of HAD are pertinent. Occupational therapy has a potential role to play in prevention and treatment of HAD among older people. This scoping review will identify and map existing occupational therapy interventions which address deconditioning among older people. Methods This scoping review will be conducted using the framework proposed by the Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR), will be used to guide the reporting. A comprehensive search strategy using relevant key words and index terms will be developed and applied across Embase (OVID), Medline (OVID), CINHAL (EBSCO), PsychInfo (ProQuest), SCOPUS databases. This will be followed by search of the reference lists of selected sources and hand-search relevant data-hubs. The search will cover studies published in English from January 2014 to the present date. Titles and abstracts will be screened against inclusion criteria. Data will be extracted using a form developed for this review. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist (Hoffmann et al., 2014) will be applied to papers where specific interventions are reported. Key information on assessment and intervention practices will be categorised and classified in a narrative summary. Conclusion This scoping review will examine current practice internationally regarding the role of occupational therapy in prevention and treatment of HAD among older people.

The perceptions of nurses and physicians in primary care of rehabilitation for frail older adults

Objectives To investigate the perceptions of primary care nurses and physicians of the potential contributions of physiotherapists (PTs) and occupational therapists (OTs) in the treatment of frail older persons, as well as the obstacles to, and opportunities for, collaboration. Design A qualitative study. Participants and setting Nurses (n = 9) and physicians (n = 8) in primary care in the county council [14 women (82%)] with experience working with older people. Method Interview study conducted with a semi-structured interview guide. Analyses were carried out with content analysis with an inductive approach. Results The analysis resulted in six categories: knowledge of physiotherapy and occupational therapy interventions; what triggers the need for physiotherapy and occupational therapy?; the availability of rehabilitation interventions; teamwork opportunities and difficulties; motivating the patient; the site of the rehabilitation. Conclusions Close and clear collaboration between nurses and physicians and PTs and OTs is an important factor in ensuring that rehabilitation interventions provide the greatest possible benefit to the patient. Improving communication between different healthcare providers and clarifying the contact routes is a prerequisite for patients to be able to get the rehabilitation they need. More research is needed to determine the best approach to achieving this goal.

Sensory Processing Difficulties and Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Functional Neurological Disorder: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Occupational therapy (OT) consensus recommendations and articles outlining a sensory-based OT intervention for functional neurological disorder (FND) have been published. However, limited research has been conducted to examine the efficacy of OT interventions for FND. We performed a retrospective cohort study aimed at independently replicating preliminarily characterized sensory processing difficulties in patients with FND and reporting on clinical outcomes of a sensory-based OT treatment in this population. We hypothesized that (1) a history of functional seizures, anxiety, and/or post-traumatic stress disorder would be associated with increased sensory processing difficulties and (2) the number of OT treatment sessions received would positively relate to clinical improvement. Medical records were reviewed for 77 consecutive adults with FND who received outpatient, sensory-based OT care. Data from the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile characterized self-reported sensory processing patterns across 4 quadrants (low registration, sensory sensitivity, sensory seeking, and sensory avoidance) in this population. Following univariate screenings, multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify neuropsychiatric characteristics associated with discrete sensory processing patterns. Clinical improvement was quantified using an estimated, clinician-determined improvement rating ("improved" vs "not improved"), and relationships between clinical participation, baseline neuropsychiatric factors, and outcomes were investigated. Patients with FND reported sensory processing patterns with elevated scores in low registration, sensory sensitivity, and sensation avoidance compared with normative values; differences in sensory processing scores were not observed across FND subtypes (i.e., motor, seizure, and speech variants). In linear regression analyses, lifetime history of an anxiety disorder, history of migraine headaches, current cognitive complaints, and a comorbid major neurologic condition independently predicted individual differences in sensory processing scores. Following a sensory-based OT intervention, 62% of individuals with FND were clinician determined as "improved." In a multivariate logistic regression analysis controlling for baseline characteristics associated with improvement ratings, number of treatment sessions positively correlated with clinical improvement. These findings support the presence of sensory processing difficulties in patients with FND and provide Class IV evidence for the efficacy of an outpatient, sensory-based OT intervention in this population. Controlled prospective trials are warranted.

Effect of Video Modeling With Simulation on Improving Menstrual Hygiene Skills for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Background Menstruation is a biological process experienced by women every month. This project intends to improve menstrual hygiene skills using video modeling with simulation. Educating adolescent girls with autism spectrum disorder to engage in personal care during their menstrual cycle, particularly sanitation and hygiene, is essential. It is important to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for effective self-care during menstruation to prevent sexual health problems. Additionally, the project aims to provide a safe environment for adolescents to practice their menstrual hygiene routines and relieve the stress from their caregivers. Aimand objective The study aims to evaluate the effect of video modeling with simulation to improve menstrual hygiene skills in adolescents with autism. The ultimate objective of the study is to determine whether video modeling with simulation in the experimental group enhances the practice of menstrual hygiene among adolescent girls with autism, as well as the impact of traditional occupational therapy intervention on improving menstrual hygiene in this population. Methodology This is a quasi-experimental design with convenience sampling and selected samples (n=50), who were then split into two groups: an experimental group (n=25) and a control group (n=25) based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The experimental group received video modeling and simulation, while the control group did not receive any specific intervention except parent education and pictorial representations. Pre- and post-tests were conducted to measure the changes. Indian Scale for Assessment of Autism was the screening tool used and the Menstrual Practice Needs Scale (MNPS) was administered. The duration of the study was six months, three sessions per week, lasting 45 minutes to an hour each. The statistical analysis was done with significance at a 1% alpha level using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 26 (Released 2019; IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Results The pre-test and post-test data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann-Whitney test. The results demonstrated the comparison of the pre-test and post-test mean scores of the MNPS scores were highly statistically significant (p-value of 0.000) when compared to the control group. Following the implementation of video modeling with simulation, the experimental group's post-test scores were significantly higher than the control group's (p-value of 0.000). Thus, the study showed that video modeling with simulation improved menstrual hygiene in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Conclusion The clinical significance of this study was that the adolescents were excited to watch the videos and perform the activities; furthermore, after video modeling with simulation was implemented, there was a significant improvement in the experimental group when compared to the control group. This enhances the practice of the menstrual hygiene skills independently by the adolescents. Video modeling with simulation has paved the way for improving menstrual hygiene in adolescents with autism. Although the findings from the study are positive, more clinical trials are needed to prove that video modeling with simulation can be used as a therapeutic modality.

Long-Term Impact of an Occupational Therapy Intervention for Children With Challenges in Sensory Processing and Integration.

Research is limited regarding parent-caregiver perspectives of occupational therapy (OT) intervention for children with challenges in sensory processing and integration and whether changes immediately following OT intervention are sustained over time. To evaluate whether changes in identified goals are maintained following OT intervention and to determine what aspects of OT intervention parents-caregivers perceive to be most valuable. A mixed-methods research design. A large midwestern pediatric hospital, with follow-up telephone interviews with parents-caregivers. Sixteen children with sensory challenges and their parents-caregivers. Children participated in 1-hr OT intervention sessions, 3 days per wk, for 6 to 7 wk. Parents-caregivers of children who completed OT intervention were interviewed via the telephone 6 to 12 mo after the intervention. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) were used to determine whether changes were made and sustained over time. Qualitative data on caregiver perceptions of OT intervention were collected via open-ended questions during phone interviews. COPM and GAS scores before intervention were statistically significant compared with scores immediately following intervention and at 6- to 12-mo follow-up. Five themes emerged from the qualitative data. Children with sensory challenges made significant changes related to occupational performance following OT intervention, and goal achievement was sustained over time. Parents-caregivers valued many aspects of the OT program, including the increased frequency of therapy services, the occupational therapist's advanced knowledge and skills, and the education and information provided during the program. Plain-Language Summary: This study supports the results of previous studies on OT intervention for children with challenges in sensory processing and integration. The study also adds to the body of knowledge that shows that changes and progress toward goals that result from skilled OT intervention can be sustained over time. The study showed that children participating in OT intervention made statistically significant changes while receiving OT services and maintained progress after intervention ended; however, the children did not continue to make significant progress toward goals once skilled OT services ended. Parents and caregivers of children with sensory challenges reported that they found OT intervention to be beneficial. Other important factors influencing the effectiveness of OT intervention that were identified by parents-caregivers included the education provided by the occupational therapist, the increased frequency of therapy services, and the increased knowledge and skills of the occupational therapists who provided the intervention.

XIX International Symposium on Amyloidosis Abstracts

Topic: Patient Reported Outcomes/Quality of Life Background: Variant transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv) is a rare genetic disease that affects patients’ quality of life by affecting various organs and tissues. Despite a wealth of research on medical and psychosocial interventions, the impact of occupational therapy on patients with ATTRv is not well understood. This research focuses on the assessment of activities of daily living and occupations as a fundamental tool in the management of patients after diagnosis. Objective: The aim of this study was to develop an occupational therapy programme for the improvement of daily functioning and quality of life in patients with ATTRv. Methods: After an initial semi-structured interview, fourteen patients with ATTRv were enrolled in the study. The occupational therapist worked with the patient to develop short- and medium-term occupational goals, based on the Model of Human Occupation. During the six-month intervention period, weekly or ten-day sessions were held to monitor and adjust the guidelines. Outcomes were measured using scores for activities of daily living and psychological well-being. Results: The results showed that twelve patients stayed the same in their activities of daily living, two got worse and eight improved their psychological scores and the occupational situation. The study highlights the importance of early intervention and further research into the effectiveness of occupational therapy interventions for patients with ATTRv. It also notes that patients who received occupational therapy intervention reported that 6 months was not enough and emphasizes the fundamental role of the therapist in providing motivation, facilitating meaningful activities, improving daily living and routines.

Occupational therapy and chronic pain - the didactic experience at academic pain league at the University of São Paulo medical school

Occupational Therapy interventions for people with chronic pain focus on promoting independence/autonomy and rescuing meaningful activities (interrupted after the limitations brought about by illness). Various strategies can be used, such as: guidance on energy conservation and joint protection techniques, prescription and/or manufacture of positioning devices, prescription and/or manufacture of assistive technology equipment, development of creative and expressive activities, training activities of daily living, environmental assessment, guidance for family members and caregivers. This article aims to present the implementation of the Occupational Therapy Service at the FMUSP Pain League, developed since 2023. The work focused on implementing Occupational Therapy as one of the professions that make up the FMUSP Pain League, on a permanent and continuous basis; and, in addition, allow undergraduates teaching opportunities (theoretical and practical) related to the multidisciplinary care of people with chronic pain, as well as promoting research actions in the area of ​​Occupational Therapy and Chronic Pain. In OT, a student and the supervising teacher work, together with the multidisciplinary team. Activities are weekly and take place at night. Remote and in-service supervision is carried out. The implementation took place in 3 stages. In the first stage, we sought to understand the dynamics of the league, as well as characterize the patients and their specific demands, through participant observation. The second stage was structured around the specific OT intervention; evaluations of league users were carried out, with the application of evaluation and recording instruments. The third stage focused on monitoring patients and families, with new assessments carried out when necessary. Interventions follows through individual plan care, family guidance, development of educational material, prescription and/or production of assistive technology devices. The service uses a specific evolution form and the data feeds into a service database. We consider that the results obtained are satisfactory, as theoretical and practical learning was possible for the participating student. Currently, Occupational Therapy is already part of the League's routine activities, with participation in the Introductory Course, in the Board of Directors and in planning activities for 2024.