Task-specific Training Program Research Articles

The Effects of Meta-cognition Strategy Task Training on Occupational Performance and High-Level Function of Chronic Stroke Patient with Cognitive Damage

Objective: The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of the CO-OP program using cognitive strategy on the satisfaction and high-level cognitive function of chronic stroke patients with cognitive impairment with the existing task-oriented approach training method. Method: The group randomly selects the experimental group and control group from 30 patients who suffer cognitive damage due to brain damage, and then randomly presents the Cognitive Orientation to daily Occupative Performance (CO-OP) Results: The results of the study showed a significant increase in patient performance and satisfaction, task performance, and high-level cognitive functions in comparison to those before training (p<).05) There was no significant difference in CNT testing in controls; Although there were no significant differences in overall CNT testing between the two groups, the COPM, AMPS tests showed a significant increase in the experimental group compared to the comparators (p <.05). Conclusion: The Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupative Performance (CO-OP) Intervention Act, which uses meta-in strategies, was previously used. We were able to confirm that it could be a more effective intervention in task performance and high-level cognitive function than in the Meaningful Task-Specific Training Program (MTST).

Time course of changes in motor-cognitive exergame performances during task-specific training in patients with dementia: identification and predictors of early training response

BackgroundSome studies have already suggested that exergame interventions can be effective to improve physical, cognitive, motor-cognitive, and psychological outcomes in patients with dementia (PwD). However, little is known about the training volume required to induce such positive effects and the inter-individual differences in training response among PwD. The aim of the study was to analyze the time course of changes in motor-cognitive exergame performances during a task-specific training program and to identify predictors of early training response in PwD.MethodsSecondary analyses of data from the intervention group (IG) of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to improve motor-cognitive performances in PwD. Fifty-six geriatric patients with mild-to-moderate dementia randomized to the IG underwent a 10-week, task-specific training program (2×/week) on an exergame-based balance training system (Physiomat®), combining postural control tasks with cognitive tasks of an established neuropsychological test (Trail Making Test). Main outcome was the time required to complete different Physiomat®-Tasks (PTs) assessed at baseline (T1), training session 7 (TS7) and 14 (TS14), and post-intervention after 20 training sessions (T2). Reliable change indices were used to identify early responders from T1 to TS7. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine independent predictors of early training response.ResultsCompletion time significantly improved already from T1 to TS7 in all PTs (p ≤ .001–.006), with moderate to very large effect sizes (r = .38–.52; Cohen’s d = .85–1.45). For most PTs, significant progressive improvements from TS7 to TS14 and TS14 to T2 were not observed. Thirty-one (59.6%) participants were classified as early responders and 21 (40.4%) as non-early responders. Lower baseline exergame performance and lower visuospatial and divided attention abilities were independently associated with early training response.ConclusionsSubstantial task-specific improvements in complex motor-cognitive exergame performances can be obtained within a surprisingly short intervention period in PwD. Our results confirm that not only an excellent training response can be achieved in this patient population, but also that more vulnerable patients with greater deficits in domain-specific cognitive functions associated with fall risk may even reap the most and fastest benefit from motor-cognitive exergame interventions.Trial registrationISRCTN registry, ISRCTN37232817 (retrospectively registered on 04/02/2012).

Early Intervention as an Agent for Recovery of Function After Spinal Cord Injury- A Single Case Study

This case study describes a task-specific training program for working and functional recovery in a young man with incomplete cervical spinal cord injury. The subject was 20 year old male with traumatic spinal cord injury after a fall from height. Prior to intervention, he was quadriplegic with severe motor and sensory impairment. Our goal was to recover the function. The subject underwent disectomy for anterolisthesis of C6 over C7. Acute spinal cord management was started followed by locomotor training, electrical stimulation, orthoses, specialised assistive devices. Outcome measures used were ASIA scale, walking index for SCI, SCIM, Fatigue severity scale, Beck depression scale, SCI-FAI. It was found that specific interventions were intentionally selected in the development of treatment program which helped in the functional recovery of the patient. After 3 and half months treatment, the subject was able to walk with the assistance of AFOs and walker, and was able to perform ADLs independently. The magnitude of his functional improvements could be attributed to early intervention and neuroplasticity.

Parents’ experience of undertaking an intensive cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) group for children with cerebral palsy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experience of parents of children with cerebral palsy (CP) who participated in an intensive cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) group program addressing child chosen goals.Method: Participants were six parents of children with CP who participated in a CO-OP upper limb task-specific training program. Parents participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via phone. A grounded theory approach was used. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded to identify categories and overarching themes of the parent experience of CO-OP.Results: The theory of CO-OP for children with CP was one of offering a unique and motivating learning experience for both the child and the parent, differing from other therapeutic approaches that families had previously been involved in. Five categories were identified: the unique benefits of CO-OP; the importance of intensity; the child’s motivation; challenging the parent role; and the benefits and challenges of therapy within a group context.Conclusion: Parents felt that CO-OP was a worthwhile intervention that leads to achievement of goals involving upper limb function and had the capacity to be transferred to future goals. Intensity of therapy and a child’s motivation were identified as important factors in improvements. Further studies using quantitative research methods are warranted to investigate the benefits of CO-OP for children with neurological conditions. Implications for rehabilitationThe cognitive orientation to daily occupational performance (CO-OP) is a promising upper limb cognitive motor training intervention for children with cerebral palsy.In a small sample, parents perceived that CO-OP leads to achievement of upper limb goals.Intensity of therapy, the child’s motivation and the parents’ ability to “step-back” were identified as important to the success of CO-OP.

Task-specific training in Huntington disease: a randomized controlled feasibility trial.

Task-specific training may be a suitable intervention to address mobility limitations in people with Huntington disease (HD). The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of goal-directed, task-specific mobility training for individuals with mid-stage HD. This study was a randomized, blinded, feasibility trial; participants were randomly assigned to control (usual care) and intervention groups. This multisite study was conducted in 6 sites in the United Kingdom. Thirty individuals with mid-stage HD (13 men, 17 women; mean age=57.0 years, SD=10.1) were enrolled and randomly assigned to study groups. Task-specific training was conducted by physical therapists in participants' homes, focusing on walking, sit-to-stand transfers, and standing, twice a week for 8 weeks. Goal attainment scaling was used to individualize the intervention and monitor achievement of personal goals. Adherence and adverse events were recorded. Adjusted between-group comparisons on standardized outcome measures were conducted at 8 and 16 weeks to determine effect sizes. Loss to follow-up was minimal (n=2); adherence in the intervention group was excellent (96.9%). Ninety-two percent of goals were achieved at the end of the intervention; 46% of the participants achieved much better than expected outcomes. Effect sizes on all measures were small. Measurements of walking endurance were lacking. The safety of and excellent adherence to a home-based, task-specific training program, in which most participants exceeded goal expectations, are encouraging given the range of motivational, behavioral, and mobility issues in people with HD. The design of the intervention in terms of frequency (dose), intensity (aerobic versus anaerobic), and specificity (focused training on individual tasks) may not have been sufficient to elicit any systematic effects. Thus, a larger-scale trial of this specific intervention does not seem warranted.

Upper Extremity Kinematics and Kinetics During the Performance of a Stationary Wheelie in Manual Wheelchair Users With a Spinal Cord Injury

No comprehensive biomechanical study has documented upper extremity (U/E) kinematics and kinetics during the performance of wheelchair wheelies among manual wheelchair users (MWUs). The aim of this study was to describe movement strategies (kinematics), mechanical loads (kinetics), and power at the nondominant U/E joints during a wheelie among MWUs with spinal cord injury (SCI). During a laboratory assessment, 16 MWUs with SCI completed four wheelie trials on a rigid surface. Each participant's wheelchair was equipped with instrumented wheels to record handrim kinetics, while U/E and wheelchair kinematics were recorded with a 3D motion analysis system. The greatest mean and peak total net joint moments were generated by the shoulder flexors (mean = 7.2 ± 3.5 N·m; peak = 20.7 ± 12.9 N·m) and internal rotators (mean = 3.8 ± 2.2 N·m; peak = 11.4 ± 10.9 N·m) as well as by the elbow flexors (mean = 5.5 ± 2.5 N·m; peak = 14.1 ± 7.6 N·m) during the performance of wheelies. Shoulder flexor and internal rotator efforts predominantly generate the effort needed to lift the front wheels of the wheelchair, whereas the elbow flexor muscles control these shoulder efforts to reach a state of balance. In combination with a task-specific training program that remains essential to properly learn how to control wheelies among MWUs with SCI, rehabilitation professionals should also propose a shoulder flexor, internal rotator, and elbow flexor strengthening program.

Training Community Gynecologists to Perform Intraoperative Cystoscopy

This study aimed to pilot a cystoscopy training program for community gynecologists that is validated by posttraining examination. Twenty-eight gynecologists were trained to perform cystoscopy using a competency-based training approach. Baseline information included years in practice and number of incontinence procedures and/or cystoscopies performed per month. Three 5-hour workshops were administered that included applied practice. After learners individually trained until they felt comfortable with their skills on a model, they were individually tested on a cadaver. Performance was evaluated with 2 instruments, namely, a task-specific checklist and a global rating scale based on the objective structured assessment of technical skill model. Failure was defined as inability to independently complete elements of the task-specific checklist for cystoscopic examination. Likert-type self-report scales were used during pretesting and posttesting, assessing confidence to perform component tasks for diagnostic cystoscopy. Twenty-four of 28 trainees successfully performed a systematic cadaveric bladder examination during the primary posttest. After debriefing, the 4 trainees who initially failed successfully performed cystoscopy during a second trial. Median age was 51 years and median time in practice was 19.5 years. All participants reported high confidence in identifying ureteral injury at the course's conclusion. A task-specific training program can successfully improve the confidence and skill of community gynecologists to perform intraoperative diagnostic cystoscopy. Professionals may not be able to define when they have received enough instruction in terms of hands-on training with models, before acquisition of technical skills. Formal evaluation of technical skills is recommended after training to ensure competence.