Participation In Daily Occupations Research Articles

Daily time management in dementia: qualitative interviews with persons with dementia and their significant others

BackgroundPersons with dementia encounter time-related problems and significant others often need to provide support in daily time management and use of time assistive technology (AT). Further research has been requested on how time AT for persons with dementia affects the situation of significant others. Moreover, there are a few previous qualitative studies on the experiences of time AT by persons with dementia. This study explores the experiences of persons with dementia and significant others in daily time management and their perceptions on how time AT affects everyday life.MethodSemi-structured interviews with persons with mild to moderate dementia (n = 6) and significant others (n = 9) were conducted three months after receiving prescribed time AT. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis.ResultsA main category “Support by significant others is always part of daily time management”, and three categories “Facing new challenges”, “Using strategies to handle changes”, and “Time assistive technology in daily life” illustrated that significant others provided support for daily time management in all phases of dementia. This support was often embedded in other kinds of support for emerging challenges. Support in time management was needed from an early stage in dementia, and responsibility for time management was gradually transferred to significant others. Time AT could support time orientation and were important for sharing the time management conducted by others but did not enable independent time management.ConclusionsTime-related assessments and interventions should be offered at an early stage of dementia to increase the possibility of maintaining daily time management skills. Using time AT to communicate time might increase agency and participation in daily occupations for persons with dementia. Given the central role of significant others for daily time management, the society needs to adequately support persons with dementia lacking support from significant others.

Effectiveness of Orthoses as a Conservative Treatment for Carpometacarpal Joint Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review

Abstract Date Presented 04/20/2023 Research to support the most effective orthosis for individuals with carpometacarpal (CMC) osteoarthritis is limited. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to determine the most effective orthosis for improving pain, pinch, and grip. Pain, pinch, and grip are three factors that affect one’s participation in daily occupations. As the baby boomer population continues to age, and the life span continues to increase, the prevalence of CMC osteoarthritis will continue to rise. Primary Author and Speaker: Andrew Wells Additional Authors and Speakers: Franca Sangiacomo, Lindsay Hayduk

Concurrent Validity of Measures of Upper Extremity Function Derived from Videogame-Based Motion Capture for Children with Hemiplegia.

Objective: Pediatric hemiplegia is associated with wide-ranging deficits in arm and hand motor function, neg-atively impacting participation in daily occupations and quality of life. This study investigated whether performance measures generated during therapy videogame play by children with hemiplegia can be valid indicators of upper extremity motor function. Materials and Methods: Ten children with hemiplegia used a custom therapy game system alternatively using their affected and non-affected hand to provide motion capture data that spans a wide range of motor function status. The children also completed a series of standardized outcome measure assessments with each hand, including the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test, the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test, and the Wolf Motor Function Test. Results: Statistical analysis using the nonparametric Spearman rank correlation revealed high and significant correlation between videogame-derived motion capture measures, characterizing the speed and smoothness of movements, and the standardized outcome measure assessments. Conclusion: The results suggest that a low-cost motion capture system can be used to monitor a child's motor function status and progress during a therapy program.

The Association Between Children’s Interoceptive Awareness and Their Daily Participation: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT Children’s participation in daily occupations can be influenced by a range of factors. One such factor is interoceptive awareness which allows a person to understand their internal body signals and can support emotional and self-regulation. The current literature surrounding interoceptive awareness and children’s participation is lacking. To explore the association between interoceptive awareness and participation in children, 27 typically developing Australian children aged 8–12 years and one of their parents took part in this study. Children and parents completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness – Youth (MAIA-y) and the children completed the Children’s Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment/Preferences for Activities of Children (CAPE/PAC). Data were analyzed using Spearman Rho correlations with bootstrapping. Several statistically significant correlations were identified relating to both child and parent perspectives of child interoceptive awareness and child participation (Body Listening and Enjoyment [rs = 0.381, p = .050], Body Listening and Social Activities [rs = 0.462, p = 0.015], Self-Regulation and Recreational Activities [rs = 0.468, p = .014]) and parent-reported child interoceptive awareness and child participation (Emotional Awareness and Intensity [rs=-0.553, p = .003], Attention Regulation and Skill-Based Activities [rs=-0.540, p = .004], Emotional Awareness and Skill-Based Activities [rs=-0.646, p < .001]). This exploratory study provides some preliminary evidence relating to associations between children’s interoceptive awareness and aspects of their activity participation.

A Systematic Review of Sensory Interventions for Children With Autism: The Effects on Attention and Self-Regulation

Abstract Date Presented 04/01/2022 Many children with autism experience attention deficits that limit their participation in daily occupations. Sensory interventions are commonly used to improve self-regulation and attention in children with autism. This systematic review summarizes current sensory interventions used by OT practitioners and determines the quality of evidence for these interventions. This analysis allows practitioners to use best evidence when choosing intervention strategies for their clients. Primary Author and Speaker: Nicole Roberge Contributing Authors: Jewel Elias Crasta

Examining the Current Role of OTs in Trauma-Informed Care Within School-Based Practice

Abstract Date Presented 04/01/2022 Exposure to early trauma significantly influences development, affecting functional participation in daily occupations. Trauma-informed practices within schools are of high interest and significance to school-based practitioners. Results indicate that OTs need to become advocates for the profession, to ensure growth in the understanding of our vast scope of practice within schools, and to continue growing the role of school-based practitioners in supporting children who have experienced trauma. Primary Author and Speaker: Tania Carmela Rosa Contributing Authors: Kimberly Hartmann

Effectiveness of Person-Environment-Occupation Model on a Pediatric Neurodegenerative Disease: A Case Report of a Child with Ataxia-Telangiectasia

Ataxia-telangiectasia is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive cerebellar ataxia, oculomotor apraxia, and choreoathetosis. Ataxia-telangiectasia is a devastating disease that negatively affects the participation of patients in daily occupations and consequently has adverse impacts on the quality of life of them and their families. This study aimed to investigate the effects of an occupational therapy intervention based on the Person-Environment-Occupation Model (PEO) on a 9-year old boy with ataxia-telangiectasia. Following a ten-session intervention, the client experienced significant improvement in occupational performance as well as participation in daily occupations as measured by Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI), respectively.

Examining utility and feasibility of implementing patient-reported outcome measures in occupational therapy primary care practice

Introduction Occupational therapists are increasingly part of interprofessional primary care teams, helping to expand primary care to meet client needs. Effectiveness of occupational therapy services is difficult to determine with currently collected data, and little is known about the best tools to use or how to integrate tools into practice. We explored the utility and feasibility of implementing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) within occupational therapy primary care practice. Method We integrated pre-test/post-test and exploratory qualitative designs. Over 7 months, nine occupational therapists administered two PROMs to clients receiving falls prevention services, addressing falls efficacy and participation in daily occupations. Subsequent interviews with therapists explored the utility and feasibility of using the tools. We assessed pre-to-post change in PROM scores and thematically analyzed interview data. Results The occupational therapists valued measuring function and participation in daily occupations to inform practice, communicate with team members, and demonstrate effectiveness. The falls efficacy scale appeared to capture change over time and was feasible to implement at pre-test. Conclusion PROMs appear useful within occupational therapy primary care falls prevention services and can be feasible with attention to administration processes. Further development and testing of PROMs is needed to support occupational therapy primary care practice.

Quem está seguro no trabalho? Problematizando a estabilidade no emprego durante a crise socioeconômica espanhola de 2008-2018 desde uma perspectiva ocupacional critica

Abstract Introduction The Spanish socioeconomic crisis context has impacted on the population’s work conditions, which generates instability and workers’ fear of losing their job. Despite the recent research which addresses the work as an occupation in Critical Occupational Therapy and Science, little is known about the volatility of employment in relation to the job instability resulting from contextual changes. Objectives To explore the relationship between employment volatility, participation in daily occupations, and the health and wellbeing of workers during the Spanish socioeconomic crisis. Method A narrative qualitative methodology was conducted. Two open interviews and a personal diary were used as data generation methods. Two experiences were analyzed by adopting a thematic analysis. Results Three thematic categories illustrate how workers orchestrate their occupations in a context of employment volatility and they situate the multidimensional context of work in such circumstances as restrictive of occupational opportunities. Uncertainty generates a normalized instability in the daily life of workers, which impact occupational choices, health, and wellbeing. In addition, participants reflect on future perspectives of work associated with precarity and resignation. Conclusions The study of the employment volatility contributes to broadening the conceptualization of work as an occupation and contribute to the development of occupational justice-based practices.

Sensory Modulation and Participation in Daily Occupations in Stroke Survivors.

Background. Stroke may alter sensory modulation and restrict participation in daily occupations. Although studies highlight the relationship between altered sensory modulation and reduced participation, this relationship in stroke survivors has not been studied enough. Purpose. To examine the prevalence of altered sensory modulation among stroke survivors; to compare sensory modulation and participation between stroke survivors and healthy controls; to estimate the relationship between sensory modulation and participation among stroke survivors. Method. Thirty stroke survivors and 30 healthy controls, aged 18-70, completed the MoCA, the Adolescent-Adult Sensory Profile and the Activity Card Sort. Findings. Altered sensory modulation was more prevalent among stroke survivors. Their participation was significantly restricted as compared to healthy controls. Lower tendency to seek sensory input predicted lower participation in social activities. Implications. Occupational therapists should screen for altered sensory modulation in stroke survivors and understand their impacts on participation, in order to improve intervention outcomes.

Leaving the Headphones and Sunglasses Behind: Restoring Function Through Auditory and Visual Desensitization in Youth With Chronic Headache

Abstract Date Presented 04/8/21 Pediatric chronic headache and its associated hypersensitivities to light and sound significantly disrupt participation in daily occupations. This study examined the effectiveness of auditory and visual desensitization through an exposure approach. Promising results indicate significant reduction in symptoms and significant improvement in functioning. OTs should strongly consider using desensitization to treat and manage pediatric headache–related hypersensitivities. Primary Author and Speaker: Megan Silvia Additional Authors and Speakers: Erin Foster Contributing Authors: Beau M. Ances

Impact of the Ready to Learn and Play Framework on Occupational Performance for Students with Autism in the School Setting: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have sensory processing difficulties, which impact their participation in daily occupations. This pilot study investigated a newly developed Ready to Learn and Play sensory regulation framework for addressing sensory regulation challenges for individuals with ASD in a school setting. De-identified data were analyzed to compare Short Child Occupational Profile (SCOPE) scores at pretest and posttest for children receiving school-based occupational therapy programming alone or Ready to Learn and Play sensory regulation framework in addition to occupational therapy programming. Though both groups demonstrated improvement in occupational performance from pretest to posttest, the intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement (p= .000214) in SCOPE scores when compared to the control group. The Ready to Learn and Play framework shows promise as an emerging evidence-based intervention to positively impact student’s occupational performance in the school setting.

Lived Experience Of Participation In Daily Occupations Among Older People Living In Social House In Armenia

The aim of this qualitative study is to explore the lived experience of participation in daily occupations of older people living on Social House in Armenia A total of eight participants (1 male, 7 female) who lived in social house in Yerevan, Armenia were in-depth interviewed in this study. The Empirical Phenomenological Perspective method (Karlsson,1993) was applied for analysing the interviews to explore the meaning structure of participation in daily occupations in social house as expressed by participants' lived experiences. Findings has identified three main characteristics of participation in daily occupations of eight older people living in Social House: Change in place – change in life; being dependent as doer – not free in making choices; Lack of environmental possibilities in daily living. The findings of the study highlighted older people's personal perceptions of current living place and importance of supportive environmental conditions which facilitate or challenge their participation in daily occupations. Subjective perception of the current place of living and experienced changes in daily occupation were identified among older people living in social house, which limited their possibilities to choose and maintain autonomy in daily occupations and in their social participation.

Exploring the influence of service dogs on participation in daily occupations by veterans with PTSD: A pilot study

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from military service can seriously impact quality of life. There is support for the use of service dogs amongst people with PTSD in managing symptoms by reducing anxiety and depression. To date, few studies have investigated this phenomenon comprehensively, particularly in relation to enhancing participation in daily occupations. We explored the experience of a group of ex-serving members of the Australian military with PTSD, who had partnered with a service dog. We sought to understand the influence of the service dog on PTSD symptom management and participation in meaningful daily occupations. Seven participants who had been paired with a service dog were recruited from a Veterans' support organisation. Two semi-structured focus group sessions were conducted, audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts from the focus group sessions and researcher field notes were analysed independently by two researchers using an inductive approach to generate codes and themes. The themes that emerged from the data were: isolation, safety, lifeline, reconnection and challenges. Veterans in this study reported that partnering with a service dog helped them to feel safe, helped them to manage the symptoms and impact of PTSD, resulting in improved sleep quality, emotional regulation, reduced anxiety, enhanced anger management, and a reduction in the misuse of alcohol and prescription medication and suicidal ideation. These changes led to improved relationships and increased participation in meaningful daily occupations. Ongoing financial support for veterans who have partnered with a service dog needs to be more closely examined. These findings are important and highlight that a larger and more comprehensive, research project examining the impact of service dogs on the quality of life.

Sensory modulation, physical activity and participation in daily occupations in young children.

Physical activity (PA) promotes children's health. While sensory processing is integral to motor output, research regarding PA in children with sensory processing challenges is sparse. This study aimed to examine the PA pattern and its association with daily life participation of children with sensory processing challenges. Forty-four children ages 5 to 7 years were divided into the study group (children with sensory processing challenges; n = 22; 16 males) and an age-matched typically developing control group ( n = 22; nine males). Parents completed the Short Sensory Profile, a demographic questionnaire, Participation in Childhood Occupations Questionnaire, and Participation in Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire-Modified. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlational analysis. Structured PA was reported in 45% and 77% of the study and control groups, respectively ( p = .030). In the study group, the level of participation in PA was found to be significantly correlated with play and leisure activities. Promoting structured and group PA opportunities may be important for children with sensory processing challenges.

Understanding health disparities for individuals with intellectual disability using photovoice

Background: Individuals with intellectual disability (ID) are at an increased risk for health disparities that serve as barriers to participation in daily occupations. Understanding the lived experience of individuals with ID can illuminate barriers and facilitators to these health-promoting occupations. Commonly used methods examining health for individuals with ID may not reveal important information about their daily participation potentially due to cognitive or communication limitations. Participatory action research including Photovoice is a viable alternative to meet their unique needs.Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the process of using a Photovoice method with individuals with ID and present results from two participants to understand their meaning of health.Method: An analysis of two participants is provided to illustrate the use of Photovoice.Results: Three themes, Personal Identity of Health, Nutrition, and Meaningful Occupation were identified using photos, personal narratives, and focus group data.Conclusions: Participants had complex definitions of health that are better understood through the composite of narrative descriptions and visual data as compared to more commonly used research methods. The use of a Photovoice method allowed participants to communicate additional depth and complexity of their understanding of health that has not been previously captured.

The Impact of Online Video Cases on Clinical Reasoning in Occupational Therapy Education: A Quantitative Analysis

Clinical reasoning, the cognitive process of a skilled occupational therapist, is a complex and necessary component of evaluating clients and implementing interventions that facilitate each client’s achievement of relevant and meaningful participation in daily occupations. Clinical reasoning encompasses a set of skills that must be integrated into college curricula for the preparation of occupational therapists, but it is not easily taught in a classroom setting. This quasi-experimental, quantitative research explored how specific instructional techniques, constructed on the tenets of case-based reasoning, influenced the development of clinical reasoning in occupational therapy students. The experimental group with video cases improved significantly in overall reasoning. The video cases challenged the learners to analyze their observations, explicitly identify clinical reasoning skills, and make decisions regarding occupational therapy interventions and services. This may influence how video technology is used and integrated into didactic educational practices.

Implementing the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO‐OP) approach in a group format with children living with motor coordination difficulties

Children with developmental coordination disorder demonstrate limited participation in daily occupations which negatively impacts on their physical and psycho-social wellbeing. Literature is emerging supporting the use of the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) within a group format. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility of the CO-OP approach in a group format for children with motor coordination difficulties. A single group mixed-method approach was employed. Four children with motor coordination difficulties between seven-to-nine years of age and their mothers, participated in a CO-OP group intervention once a week over 10weeks. The study examined performance (perceived and actual) and satisfaction of family-chosen goals, gross and fine motor functioning and parental experience of participating in the intervention. Improvements in performance (perceived) and satisfaction ratings of family-chosen goals bordered on achieving statistical significance. Fine and gross motor functioning and performance (actual) improved, however, the change in performance was variable between participants and among the overarching goals. Semi-structured interviews were thematically analysed. Themes included: formation of the group, moving from disenabling to enabling, belonging and the importance of small successes. CO-OP offers a feasible intervention approach when delivered in a group format. Parental perceptions are valuable in shaping the delivery of the CO-OP in future studies. More research is needed to support these findings and contribute to evidence-based practice.

Cluster-randomised controlled trial of an occupational therapy intervention for children aged 11-13years, designed to increase participation to prevent symptoms of mental illness.

The impact of occupational therapy on mental health outcomes for children is largely unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate an evidence-based occupational therapy intervention designed to increase participation in daily occupations to prevent symptoms of mental illness for children and run in schools. The study used a pragmatic, cluster-randomised controlled trial design with two arms. Fourteen clusters (schools), equating to 151 child participants, were stratified by school decile-rank category and block randomised. Blinding of participants post-randomisation was not feasible; however, outcomes assessors were blinded. Outcomes were measured at baseline, after the parallel and crossover phases, and at follow-up; and were anxiety symptoms (primary), depression symptoms, self-esteem, participation and wellbeing. Intention-to-treat analysis was applied and mixed linear modelling was used to account for clusters and repeated measures, and to adjust for covariates identified. This trial found significant positive effects of the intervention on child-rated satisfaction with their occupational performance and teacher-rated child anxiety. No evidence was found to support the effect of the intervention on anxiety and depression symptoms, self-esteem and wellbeing. This was the first known cluster-randomised controlled trial to investigate an occupational therapy intervention promoting emotional wellbeing in a non-clinical sample of children. No compelling evidence was found to support the use of the intervention in schools in its current format, however, results were promising that the focus on occupations influenced participation. Recommendations are made to redesign the intervention as an embedded intervention in the classroom, cotaught by teachers and including parental involvement.

Relationship Between Sensory Processing and Participation in Daily Occupations for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Studies That Used Dunn's Sensory Processing Framework.

Research measuring sensory processing in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has shown variability in terms of measures used and participant ages, contributing to difficulty in interpreting and summarizing the findings of these studies. In an attempt to clarify the status of the literature, we conducted a systematic review of studies that focused on participation in daily occupations and evaluated sensory processing in children with ASD aged 5-13 yr using Dunn's sensory processing framework. Evidence from 7 studies shows that sensory processing has a significant impact on participation in daily life of children with ASD. Included studies demonstrated medium and low levels of evidence. Additional research using more robust scientific methods is needed.