Performance Of Everyday Activities Research Articles

Fidelity, acceptability, and feasibility of the revised functional autonomy measurement system for hospitalised people: An implementation study.

The revised functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF-R) is an outcome measure of activity performance and resource needs. This study aimed to measure the implementability of the SMAF-R as a routine outcome measure in acute and subacute inpatients. This was a mixed-methods implementation study. Occupational therapists were asked to complete the SMAF-R in hospitalised people with an anticipated length of stay greater than 48 hours over a 12-month period (n= 13,348). A baseline audit of SMAF-R completion rates was conducted, and behaviour change interventions were delivered over 12 months. The Implementability of Healthcare Interventions conceptual framework was used to evaluate fidelity (completion rates), acceptability (staff survey with quantitative and qualitative responses), and feasibility (change in SMAF-R scores from admission to discharge). Quantitative and qualitative (analysed thematically) data were integrated. Occupational therapists and other staff working to improve outcome measure completion within the electronic medical record and other allied health teams were consulted when developing and delivering behaviour change interventions. Peak completion of the SMAF-R did not meet an 80% fidelity success rate (admission: 32% in acute and 66% in subacute; discharge: 12% in acute and 48% in subacute). Two thirds of occupational therapists reported the SMAF-R was an acceptable measure to use, but only 38% liked using it. Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (1) A greater understanding of the relevance of the SMAF-R influenced acceptability; (2) using the SMAF-R within an electronic medical record may facilitate completion; and (3) it takes more time to complete SMAF. Patients made clinically significant improvements in SMAF-R scores during their hospital stay (median difference 16.5 [6.5-27.0], p< 0.001, n= 764). Although most occupational therapists reported the SMAF-R was acceptable, there were mixed opinions regarding the relevance of the SMAF-R in this setting, which may have impacted fidelity. Additional prompting and training (especially regarding understanding SMAF-R relevance to practice) may assist with improving SMAF-R completion. Further research is required to assess the psychometric properties of the SMAF-R in the hospital environment. The revised functional autonomy measurement system (SMAF-R) is an assessment tool used to measure performance in everyday activities (such as showering) and the resources needed to complete these tasks (e.g., a shower chair or someone's help). Occupational therapists can use it at the start of a patient admission and again at the end in different hospital settings to assess patients' needs and see if they improve. This study aimed to measure (1) how often occupational therapists use the SMAF-R with patients in hospital, (2) how acceptable occupational therapists find the SMAF-R, and (3) whether the SMAF-R shows changes in patients' abilities during their hospital stay. Before the study, usual completion of the SMAF-R was measured, and it was found to be completed in less than 1% of patients. Strategies were introduced to improve SMAF-R completion over 12 months. After this, completion of the SMAF-R improved to between 9% and 38% in different hospital settings. Changes in SMAF-R scores showed that patients improved during their time in hospital. Most occupational therapists reported the SMAF-R was an acceptable measure, but less than half liked using it. The low completion rates suggested that either the SMAF-R was not fit for purpose in this setting or that more support is needed to increase completion.

Assessment of functional fitness impacted by hospital rehabilitation in post-stroke patients who additionally contracted COVID-19.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients, or post-stroke patients with simultaneous COVID-19 infection, in relation to: improved locomotion efficiency, improved balance, reduced risk of falling as well as the patients' more effective performance in everyday activities. The study involved 60 patients in the early period (2-3 months) after a stroke. Group I consisted of 18 patients (30.0%) who, in addition to a stroke, also contracted COVID-19. Group II consisted of 42 patients (70%) post-stroke, with no SARS-CoV2 infection. The effects were assessed on the basis of: Tinetti test, Timed Up & Go test and Barthel scale. Both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in their Barthel score after therapy (p < 0.001). The Tinetti test, assessing gait and balance, showed that participants in Group I improved their score by an average of 4.22 points. ±4.35, and in Group II, on average, by 3.48 points ± 3.45 points. In the Timed Up & Go test over a distance of 3 m, significant improvement was achieved in both groups, as well but the effect was higher in Group I (p < 0.001). Hospital rehabilitation in the early period after stroke improved locomotion efficiency and balance, and reduced the risk of falls in post-stroke patients, both with and without COVID-19 infection.

GOAL ATTAINMENT SCALING IN CAPABLE: A COMPARISON OF CARE PARTNER AND OLDER ADULT PARTICIPATION

Abstract Aging in place is an optimal outcome for our maturing population as health systems become increasingly overburdened. One program that facilitates aging in place is the Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE) program. CAPABLE improves older adult performance in everyday activities and reduces inpatient and long-term service use. Although CAPABLE is designed as a person-centered program aiming to help older adults set and achieve goals, research demonstrates that care partners (i.e. family or friends providing unpaid support) are frequently involved in healthcare decisions and can reinforce intervention goals. This presentation will report findings from the trial stage of a Hybrid Type 1 Study of CAPABLE involving care partners for which recruitment is ongoing (N=100). We aim to describe how older adults and their care partners engage in goal setting using Goal Attainment Scaling, share the frequency of their goal attainment, and present the types of goals that they set. For example, older adult participant goals for our current sample focus on reduced fear when showering, improved mobility, and more efficient dressing. For our care partner participants, goals include finding respite and preventing older adult injury. All participants who have completed CAPABLE were able to achieve their goals by the end of the program. Findings from this study support care partner involvement in interventions to promote aging in place, aligning with the RAISE Act’s goal to engage family caregivers as key partners in the delivery of services and support.

Self-reported engagement in everyday activities following bilateral lung transplantation in paediatric cystic fibrosis: a single centre study

IntroductionFollowing lung transplantation, it is unknown how children/adolescents self-assess their performance in everyday activities, importance of these activities, and whether resumption of everyday activities influences self-reported quality of life. The...

A Semantic-Based Cognitive Training Programme on Everyday Activities: A Feasibility and Acceptability Study among Cognitively Healthy Older Adults.

During the normal ageing process, a person's cognitive functions and memory gradually decline, which can affect their ability to perform everyday activities including cooking, cleaning, managing finances, and shopping. Semantic memory encoding strategies benefit older adults' cognitive and functional performance. Such strategies can be taught by an accessible, cost-effective, and flexible app-based programme. Currently, no studies examine such an app-based programme focussed on everyday activities. To determine if an app-based programme constructed on the principles of semantic memory encoding strategies, targeted towards older adults, called Enhancing Memory in Daily Life (E-MinD Life) is (1) feasible by examining acceptance, engagement, and attendance and (2) acceptable by examining the perceived effectiveness, relevancy, clarity, and convenience. Eleven participants were recruited to a nine-week (18 sessions) programme using E-MinD Life. Feasibility was measured by collecting data on recruitment and retention rates, attendance, and duration of sessions. Acceptability was measured via a Likert scale questionnaire and free comments. Likert scale responses were analysed using descriptive statistics; open-ended responses were categorised qualitatively via constant comparative approach. Nine participants completed the programme. Overall, most participants found the programme relevant, convenient, logical, and easy to understand and perceived it to be effective to address functional cognitive problems impacting performance of everyday activities. The results from the qualitative analysis showed that participants found the programme enjoyable and the interaction with the research team throughout the intervention beneficial. E-MinD Life shows promise as the focus of further research to determine the effectiveness of the programme and sematic-based cognitive strategies in maintaining cognition and performance in everyday activities among older adults with and without cognitive impairment.

Multidisciplinary interventions increase weekly working hours and quality of life in persons with post-concussion syndrome

ABSTRACT Objectives To improve labor market attachment, general health and quality of life in persons suffering from post-concussion syndrome. Labor market attachment often changes after mTBI, and especially in persons suffering from post-concussion syndrome, and constitutes a huge societal burden. Methods Eighty-two adults with persistent post-concussion syndrome participated in this single-center and uncontrolled interventional efficacy open-label investigation. The primary endpoint was to increase weekly working hours. Outcome measures ranged from self-reported cognitive symptoms to objective performance testing. Multidisciplinary interventions were used to reduce symptoms of fatigue, stress, pain, oculomotor malfunction, and sensitivity to both sound and light. Results Workhours improved from median 0 to 6 hours (p = 0.00002). Several significant improvements were observed in quality of life measured by the SF-36. General fatigue measured by the MFI-20 was reduced (p < 0.0001), and symptoms of depression were reduced (p < 0.0001). The COPM results were improved for task completion satisfaction and for ability to perform a task (p < 0.0001). Reading speed, and performances in the Groffman Visual Tracing Test and the King-Devick Test, all improved (p < 0.01). The intervention did not reduce perception of pain intensity (p = 0.11). Conclusion After the intervention, participants increased weekly workhours and improved in many aspects of life – including quality of life, performance in everyday activities, fatigue and depression. Perception of pain intensity was not improved.

PCR101 Coverage of Aspects of Occupational Functioning By Health State Utility Instruments

While the individual domains of generic health state utility instruments (HSUIs) differ, items related to function in everyday activities are frequently included. Assessment of performance in everyday activities is the cornerstone of occupational therapy, which considers self-care, productivity, and leisure key aspects of occupational functioning. This study evaluated the inclusion of occupational functioning aspects in HSUIs.

A meta-analysis of exercise intervention and the effect on Parkinson’s Disease symptoms

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that is distinguished by tremors at rest, bradykinesia, hypokinesia, and postural instability, resulting in a progressive decline in performance of everyday activities. The non-motor symptoms that occur can include pain, depression, cognitive dysfunction, sleep issues, and anxiety (among others). Functionality is tremendously impaired by physical as well as non-motor symptoms. Recent treatment has begun to incorporate non-conventional interventions that are more functional and tailored to the patients with PD. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to determine the effectiveness of exercise interventions at alleviating PD symptoms, as measured by the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Additionally, this review qualitatively explored whether endurance-based or non-endurance based exercise interventions were more beneficial at alleviating PD symptoms. Two reviewers screened the title and abstract records (n = 668) found in the initial search. Subsequently the reviewers completed full-text screening of the remaining articles for inclusion.. Following this, a total of 25 articles were considered to be eligible and included in the review and data was extracted for meta-analysis. The interventions lasted from 4 to 26 weeks. Results indicated a positive overall effect of therapeutic exercise on patients with PD, where the overall d-index was 0.155. Qualitatively no difference was observed between aerobic and non-aerobic forms of exercise.

Automated documentation of almost identical movements in the context of dementia diagnostics

When monitoring the health state of people with neurological diseases, it is crucial to detect disease progression and disease-related changes as soon as possible. Such changes can be detected in the performance of everyday activities like eating, drinking, nose blowing, reading, looking at photos, knitting, telephoning, or brushing hair. In order to supervise such everyday activities, this work proposes an approach employing smartwatches in combination with a Recurrent neural network. A smartwatch offers the possibility of integrating sensor technology into a patient’s daily routines in a unobtrusive way. We have developed a machine learning web tool to track motion data using smartwatch sensors. Data from the accelerometer, heart rate sensor, gyroscope, gravity sensor and position sensor are tracked at 20 Hz. Our tool allows a systematic comparison of the performance between a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model and the different sensor systems in classifying twelve nearly identical daily activities. In this paper, we address the problem of caregiver effort in creating daily care documentation for dementia patients. We present an activity classification system that enables automatic classification of daily activities of patients with dementia across a nursing shift. To assist caregivers, we provide an idea for integrating our system into a nursing documentation. • When monitoring the health state of people with neurological diseases, it is crucial to detect disease progression and disease-related changes as soon as possible. Such changes can be detected in the performance of everyday activities like eating, drinking, nose blowing, reading, looking at photos, knitting, telephoning, or brushing hair. • In order to supervise such everyday activities, this work proposes an approach employing smartwatches in combination with a Recurrent neural network. A smartwatch offers the possibility of integrating sensor technology into a patient’s daily routines in a unobtrusive way. • We have developed a machine learning web tool to track motion data using smartwatch sensors. Data from the accelerometer, heart rate sensor, gyroscope, gravity sensor and position sensor are tracked at 20 Hz. • Our tool allows a systematic comparison of the performance between a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) model and the different sensor systems in classifying twelve nearly identical daily activities. • In this paper, we address the problem of caregiver effort in creating daily care documentation for dementia patients. We present an activity classification system that enables automatic classification of daily activities of patients with dementia across a nursing shift. To assist caregivers, we provide an idea for integrating our system into a nursing documentation.

Energy-efficient lighting and visually impaired users in homelike environments

Despite a rapid transition to LED lamps, it is still little knowledge about the effects of these light sources on users with low vision. The study’s main objective was to acquire a better understanding about how correlated colour temperatures (CCTs) of non-directional LED affect visual accessibility and perceptions of lighting quality in homelike environments among visually impaired persons. The study took place in a full scale laboratory in which CCTs of 2,700 K and 4,000 K were tested. Participants having normal vision (N=60, 24 males, 36 females, M = 25.50) were divided into three groups of 20 to assess the two lit environments with cataract goggle, severe cataract goggle and normal vision respectively. They were asked to perform everyday activities while the observer recorded the time and conducted observations, and to rate the difficulty of each activity. Thereafter, the participants were asked to rate their perceptions of lighting quality and contrasts in the room. With the same CRI of Ra80, there were no differences in the performance of everyday activities between the two CCTs whereas the differences in the perceived lighting quality and the perceived contrasts were found. The cool white CCT was found to positively affect visual accessibility and perceived contrasts however, its comfort quality remains questionable.

Mobile Videoconferencing for Occupational Therapists' Assessments of Patients' Home Environments Prior to Hospital Discharge: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Comparative Study.

BackgroundOccupational therapists who work in hospitals need to assess patients’ home environment in preparation for hospital discharge in order to provide recommendations (eg, technical aids) to support their independence and safety. Home visits increase performance in everyday activities and decrease the risk of falls; however, in some countries, home visits are rarely made prior to hospital discharge due to the cost and time involved. In most cases, occupational therapists rely on an interview with the patient or a caregiver to assess the home. The use of videoconferencing to assess patients’ home environments could be an innovative solution to allow better and more appropriate recommendations.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was (1) to explore the added value of using mobile videoconferencing compared with standard procedure only and (2) to document the clinical feasibility of using mobile videoconferencing to assess patients’ home environments.MethodsOccupational therapists assessed home environments using, first, the standard procedure (interview), and then, videoconferencing (with the help of a family caregiver located in patients’ homes, using an electronic tablet). We used a concurrent mixed methods design. The occupational therapist's responsiveness to telehealth, time spent on assessment, patient’s occupational performance and satisfaction, and major events influencing the variables were collected as quantitative data. The perceptions of occupational therapists and family caregivers regarding the added value of using this method and the nature of changes made to recommendations as a result of the videoconference (if any) were collected as qualitative data, using questionnaires and semistructured interviews.ResultsEight triads (6 occupational therapists, 8 patients, and 8 caregivers) participated. The use of mobile videoconferencing generally led occupational therapists to modify the initial intervention plan (produced after the standard interview). Occupational therapists and caregivers perceived benefits in using mobile videoconferencing (eg, the ability to provide real-time comments or feedback), and they also perceived disadvantages (eg, videoconferencing requires additional time and greater availability of caregivers). Some occupational therapists believed that mobile videoconferencing added value to assessments, while others did not.ConclusionsThe use of mobile videoconferencing in the context of hospital discharge planning has raised questions of clinical feasibility. Although mobile videoconferencing provides multiple benefits to hospital discharge, including more appropriate occupational therapist recommendations, time constraints made it more difficult to perceive the added value. However, with smartphone use, interdisciplinary team involvement, and patient participation in the videoconference visit, mobile videoconferencing can become an asset to hospital discharge planning.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)RR2-10.2196/11674

Handling fatigue in everyday activities at five years after stroke: A long and demanding process

Background Fatigue is common and can be challenging after stroke. Aim To explore how post-stroke fatigue (PSF) was experienced and handled among people with stroke in their performance of everyday activities and in participation in social activities five years after stroke. Methods Nine persons who perceived PSF one year after stroke onset were interviewed five years later. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Most participants experienced PSF even five years after stroke and reported longstanding difficulties in everyday activities. Handling fatigue—a long slow process with invisible adjustments in everyday life emerged as the theme. By implementing new strategies in everyday life their PSF lessened over time. Understanding among significant others as to how PSF appears and providing information about PSF early after stroke was perceived important. Conclusion This study adds new knowledge regarding experiences of PSF and long-term support needs. Even if PSF still was reported the participants experienced improvements in everyday life through the application of new strategies. Information about PSF and strategies for managing everyday life should be provided during rehabilitation. Significance This study is one out of only a few focussing on long-term PSF and adjustment to its consequences in everyday life.

Recurrent Syncopal Episodes Due to Atlanto-Axial Instability – An Unusual Presentation of Os Odontoideum

Os odontoideum is a rare cause of atlantoaxial instability. Despite being first described in 1886, its pathogenesis is still unclear, with theories for both congenital and traumatic etiologies. We report on an atypical presentation of this pathology, in a patient who was being investigated for recurrent syncopal episodes during performance of everyday activities, and who was unexpectedly found to have an os odontoideum. The patient underwent occipito-cervical fusion and had complete resolution of all her symptoms postoperatively.

Can body awareness training improve recovery following stroke: A study to assess feasibility and preliminary efficacy

Background Impairments in body awareness are common after stroke and are associated with decreased participation and performance in everyday activities. Objectives To explore the feasibility and safety of a body awareness program after stroke, and identify the preliminary efficacy of class-based lessons compared to home-based lessons on sensation, body awareness, motor impairment and quality of life. Methods A two-armed pilot randomized controlled trial with a nested qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Individuals with a diagnosis of stroke (at least three months post injury) were randomized to either class-based face-to-face body awareness lessons or home-based individually performed body awareness lessons. Outcome measures were safety, feasibility, sensation, body awareness, motor impairment, self-efficacy and quality of life. Semi-structured interviews were used to allow greater exploration and understanding of participants’ experience of the program. Results Twenty participants were randomized, 16 participants completed the program. Feasibility was greater in the class-based group. No adverse events were detected. The class-based group led to improvement in body awareness (p = 0.002), quality of life (p = 0.002), and the arm (p = 0.025) and leg (p = 0.005) motor impairment scores. Qualitative data similarly indicated that the class-based group experienced a stronger sense of awareness, achievement and connection than the home-based group. Conclusions Body awareness training was safe, feasible and acceptable in people with stroke. Individuals in the class-based group showed greater benefit compared to those receiving home-based therapy.

Повседневная деятельность подростков в смешанной реальности: пользовательская активность и многозадачность

This paper explores, through the diary method, the daily activities of adolescents in offline, online, and mixed reality. Particular attention is paid to two new formats of activity: Internet user activity, including hyperconnectivity, and media multitasking, which attract more and more attention from researchers. These types of activities are not only important features of digital socialization, but they also determine a person's transition to a mixed reality. The study involves 125 adolescents aged 14-18 years. In the first stage, the study was conducted on the base of an online service Google Forms, in the second stage we used a chatbot in Telegram. The results confirm the data about the high level of adolescents' user activity. Adolescents show significant underestimation of their level of user activity - on average, up to a third of the time they estimate. A change in the image of the world is noted: more than a third of adolescents participating in the study feel that they are living in a mixed reality. At the same time, this image is typical for adolescents with higher user activity, primarily hyperconnected adolescents. The vast majority of adolescents subjectively define themselves as multitaskers, and they appreciate their effectiveness in this format quite highly. Combination of different types of activity turns out to be representative for adolescents with higher user activity, especially for hyperconnected adolescents who use multitasking format more intensively. The dynamics of its use are revealed: in comparison with the peak of multitasking activity on weekdays, when adolescents combine studying with searching for additional information and other educational activities, as well as socializing, there is a decrease in multitasking activity at weekends, except for evening hours. In this context, multitasking can be seen as a tool for adapting to the complexity and diversity of the modern world. The nature of the combination of online and offline activities is similar to the combination of online activities: on weekdays in the morning study is combined either with communicative or educational search activities, in the evening adolescents combine the performance of everyday activities with communicative, entertaining or educational search activities online. Thus, high user activity and multitasking are among the attributes of a mixed reality resident, and digital activity does not replace habitual age-specific social practices, but complements and probably enhances opportunities to fulfill adolescents' needs, primarily in communication and cognitive activities.

Intensive and app-delivered occupational therapy to improve upper extremity function in early diffuse cutaneous systemic sclerosis: a pilot two-arm trial.

SSc reduces upper extremity function and performance of everyday activities; however, there are few evidence-based rehabilitation interventions. This study examined short and longer-term effects of two occupational therapy interventions on hand disability. Participants with diffuse cutaneous SSc were randomized to one of two 18-week interventions: Intensive group, receiving eight weekly in-person occupational therapy sessions with App-delivered home exercises, or App Alone group. The primary outcome was QuickDASH hand disability; secondary outcomes were physical function (PROMIS scale), and total active hand motion. Linear mixed models were used to examine treatment effects. Most participants were female (72%); the mean age was 52 years (13.4) (n = 32). There were no significant between-group effects on QuickDASH (P = 1.0; mean change -6.4 on 0-100 scale in both groups at 18 weeks). Left lateral pinch, an exploratory outcome, improved in App Alone compared with Intensive from baseline to 18 weeks. Within groups, the Intensive group had the largest improvements after 8 weeks (-8.5 on QuickDASH; P = 0.03), but then lost gains from 8 to 18 weeks while the App Alone group had modest improvements from baseline to 8 weeks, but then continued to improve. Of completers, 50% had clinically meaningful improvement on QuickDASH in the Intensive group and 64% had improvement in App Alone. Both interventions showed beneficial effects on hand disability. Participants in the App Alone group improved equally to the Intensive group at 18 weeks. Our findings provide support for further study into telehealth rehabilitation approaches. NCT03482219.

Comparison of Static Stretching and Muscle Energy Techniques on Hamstring Tightness in Asymptomatic Females

Background: Hamstring flexibility is an essential variable because decreased extensibility can cause injuries, non-specific low back pain and altered lumbopelvic rhythm. Flexibility training is an important component in preventing or rehabilitation of injuries and also a method of improving one’s performance in everyday activities and sports. Objectives: To compare the effects of static stretching &amp; muscle energy techniques on hamstring shortness in females. Methods: A randomized controlled trial conducted at Department of Health Sciences, Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering &amp; Information Technology Rahim Yar Khan on 50 asymptomatic females. In this study, 50 females were randomly allocated in two groups strictly following the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Group A received hamstring static stretching, while group B muscle energy techniques (Autogenic inhibition). Informed written consent was taken from each participant. 90-90 test, SLR, Sit and reach test were used as outcome measurement tools of hamstring tightness. 6 sessions in 2 weeks were given to each participant. Baseline as well as follow-up data after 2 consecutive weeks was recorded. Results: Mean age of participants of Groups A &amp; B were 26±1.2, 26±0.9 years respectively. Group B participants showed marked improvement at 90-90 test, SLR, Sit and reach outcome measurement tools compared to group A as p-value was found less than 0.05 which is considered significant. Conclusion: Muscle energy techniques particularly autogenic inhibition have better treatment outcome as compared to hamstring static stretching alone in asymptomatic females with hamstring shortness.

Cognitive function and performance of everyday activities in adults with spina bifida.

Background and objectiveIndividuals with spina bifida often have cognitive impairments leading to difficulties in education and daily activities. The aims of this study were to explore cognitive impairments in adults with spina bifida and to consider associations between impairments, educational outcome and performance of daily activities, comparing individuals with and without intellectual disability.MethodsData were collected on 35 adults with spina bifida via cognitive tests and Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS). Participants were divided into 3 groups: individuals without intellectual disability who completed compulsory education (NID-C); those without intellectual disability, who failed to successfully pass compulsory education (NID-F); and those with intellectual disability failed to successfully pass compulsory education (ID-F).ResultsAll individuals with intellectual disability failed to successfully pass compulsory education (group ID-F) and had poorer scores across almost all measures than group NID-F and significantly poorer scores than group NID-C. All except 6 individuals scored below cut-off levels for effort and safety on both AMPS motor and process scales; more significant associations were seen between the cognitive tests and the motor rather than process scale.ConclusionCognitive impairments, irrespective of intellectual disability, impact on the performance of everyday activities and on educational achievement, and thus need to be considered in assessments and interventions to improve outcomes and promote independence in people with spina bifida.LAY ABSTRACTIndividuals with spina bifida often have cognitive impairments, resulting in difficulties in performing their everyday life activities at home, in education, training and social life. These difficulties are often not recognized, and the individuals do not receive the support they need from society. This study investigated the relationship between cognitive impairments, school achievements and performance of daily life activities of 35 adults with spina bifida. The study examined whether individuals had an intellectual disability, and whether they had completed compulsory education, and compared this with their cognitive function and performance in everyday activities. The results confirm that individuals with cognitive impairments, even those without intellectual disabilities, often have considerable difficulties in school achievements, and performance of daily life activities, reducing their ability to live independently.

Using a Performance Based Assessment Tool of Everyday IADL to Determine Driving Risk in Older Adults

For older adults living in rural/suburban communities, driving is often their only means of transportation. Although considered safe drivers, drivers older than 70 years have higher crash rates with fatality rates amplified due to the increased frailty/fragility. However, research evidence clearly indicates that cognitive factors contribute to driving impairment in older adults. Occupational therapists, as experts in observation of functional performance, use the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS), for measurement of performance in everyday activities using two scales (motor and process). Previously demonstrated as a sensitive tool for cognitive changes, this presentation will summarize the research outcomes between older adults with cognitive impairment (N=57+) and without (N=53) who completed a comprehensive driving evaluation. Analysis of the two samples using receiving operating curves suggests the AMPS has potentially excellent specificity and sensitivity, specifically AUC = 0.826(0.73-0.92) for motor, AUC = 0.909(0.84-0.98) for process, and AUC = 0.936(0.88-0.99) together. Part of a symposium sponsored by Transportation and Aging Interest Group.

Everyday activities at home: Experiences of older repeatedly readmitted people

Introduction Limitations in everyday activities are a risk factor for hospital readmission. Despite this, few studies have focussed on everyday activities of repeatedly readmitted older people. The experiences and specific needs of this group have been poorly described regarding their everyday activities at home. A deeper understanding may help occupational therapists and other health professions to facilitate readiness for this group at and after discharge. The aim of this study was, therefore, to describe the experiences of performing everyday activities of older people repeatedly readmitted to hospital and discharged to home. Methods A qualitative interview study was used to collect data from sixteen participants (75 years and older). Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results One theme ‘trying to manage an unpredictable everyday life’ and two categories describe experiences of everyday activities at home. The participants expressed the importance of continuing everyday activities after discharge where support from relatives and healthcare seemed to be of importance. Conclusion It was found that performance of everyday activities and contact with family members were of importance in their everyday life. Therefore, assessments and support were of particular importance for the group of older people who do not have close social relations at home.