Therapy Education Research Articles

Anti-oppressive pedagogy in dance/movement therapy education: Embodied experiences of black, indigenous, and students of color

This study explored the embodied graduate educational experiences of dance/movement therapy students who were Black, Indigenous, and people of color. Eight research participants who were between the ages of 22 to 45 years old were recruited from American Dance Therapy Association approved programs. Participants self-identified as Black/African American and Jamaican, Black/African American, Latinx/Brazilian, Asian/Chinese, Asian/Filipino, Asian/Chinese and Taiwanese American, and Asian/Chinese and White American. A qualitative research design based in phenomenology and arts-based methods grounded in anti-oppressive research were used. Two semistructured interviews and 1 week of embodied observation and journaling were part of data collection. Themes included four embodied states and eight embodied substates. The embodied state, wounded body, spoke to harm that occurred with peers, instructors, and course materials. The embodied state, critical body, included contemplation or action about injustices or inequities for marginalized groups. The embodied state, intersectional body, encompassed participants’ awareness, understanding, and choices around conformity to social norms of their own intersectional identities. The embodied state, flourishing body, were the conscious and unconscious efforts of resourcing through various interpersonal and intrapersonal supports. The findings, in combination with research in the literature, were used to suggest seven recommendations for an embodied anti-oppressive pedagogy in dance/movement therapy.

“Can I really be authentic?” A co-created critical autoethnography on whiteness in dance/movement therapy education

As a cultural force, Whiteness is insidious in dance/movement therapy (DMT) education. In the process of learning, East Asian international students and educators may aspire to White, middle-class, able-bodied, heteropatriarchal norms of what constitutes healthy movement and relational styles while excluding others, particularly within a group dynamic that privileges modern dance technique and overt emotional and verbal expression. The reach of educational neocolonialism in East Asian countries further perpetuates this force. As the foundational form of the discipline of DMT, “modern dance” is the standard of the expressive practice. And although “other” dance forms are starting to be welcomed, there is still a gap regarding how these are included into DMT education and applied in practice. This co-created critical autoethnography emerged from an embodied reflexive dialogue between two East Asian former international students on their experience of Whiteness in DMT education. Through counternarratives, we illustrate ways towards a decolonizing praxis of DMT that is situated within the educational environment and with the students with whom we work as educators and supervisors.

World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress 2022 Peer-Reviewed Track Abstracts, May 5–7, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy World Congress 2022 Peer-Reviewed Track Abstracts, May 5–7, 2022, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

3Es: An All-Inclusive Stuttering Therapy Tool

Purpose: There are many therapy approaches for stuttering, but speech-language pathologists (SLPs) often report that they are uncomfortable treating stuttering. The 3Es model for stuttering therapy (education, ease, and empowerment) is proposed to help SLPs understand stuttering treatment options efficiently and effectively. This model is based on emerging stuttering research trends such as redefining stuttering, anticipation of stuttering, and stigma of stuttering. A primary function of the 3Es model is to serve as a translational research-to-practice funnel for practicing SLPs. Conclusions: This tool is conceptualized by identifying three key thematic components of stuttering therapy: education, ease, and empowerment. The Es are the values-based themes of stuttering therapy, and a successful application of the model will create an accessible, robust, and structured “menu” of activities for clinicians to use in treatment planning. These therapy activities can be flexibly combined to provide holistic stuttering therapy and communication outcomes, which include competence, confidence, and change.

Research-based education in undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy education programmes: a scoping review

BackgroundIn a research-based learning environment, students learn how to become critical thinkers and lifelong learners, and to generate discipline-enriching knowledge. Research training is important for all healthcare professionals and the integration of research in education can be one approach to improve evidence-based practice among future professionals. The purpose of this scoping review was to identify studies reporting on research-based education in undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy curricula to document the current state of knowledge and to map factors that reflect and support the implementation of research-based education in undergraduate occupational therapy and physiotherapy programmes.MethodsA scoping review was used to systematically select and summarize existing literature. The search was conducted using a combination of keywords and MeSH terms in the following databases: EBSCO (Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, ERIC), MEDLINE, Embase, Education Source and grey literature. A thematic analysis identified strategies used to implement and promote research-based education in occupational therapy and physiotherapy bachelor programmes.ResultsThe database search identified 3068 records. 75 were eligible for full-text assessment and 27 studies were included. The studies were published between 1999 and 2021 and were conducted in Norway, Canada, South Africa, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, New Zealand, Ireland, Taiwan, Italy, and Iran. The study designs were mainly quantitative and qualitative, and studies included primarily occupational therapy and physiotherapy students. We identified the following four strategies: ‘student engagement in research’, ‘curriculum improvement regarding EBP’, ‘EBP teaching’ and ‘journal club’, where ‘EBP teaching’ was most frequently identified.ConclusionsFindings from this scoping review suggest that ensuring students’ competence in research methods is necessary for students to be able to read and understand research articles, which are important as foundational skills in undergraduate research training. Journal clubs can be a foundation for student engagement with research literature, and students’ basic research skills may be facilitated through their involvement in research projects and by conducting systematic reviews. Further, cooperation with clinical practice is important, and the awareness of research-based education should be increased among both faculty members and students.

Prikaz slučaja kasnog tipa primarnog limfedema - od dijagnoze do uspješne terapije

We present a case report of a 46-year-old nurse with lower limb, late onset, second degree primary lymphedema diagnosed thirty years after symptoms onset. Lack of specialised lymphedema clinics, lymphedema specialists, lymphedema management guidelines and lymphedema registry are main causes for prolonged diagnosis in Croatia. Primary lymphedema treatment was con-ducted through 45-minutes sessions three times a week in total 7 sessions. Treatment sessions consisted of limb circumference mea-surements and manual lymph drainage followed by Partsch compression therapy protocol and education. Instructions for physical activity were made likewise. Significant volume reduction was successful despite long primary lymphedema duration. Changes in quality of life and physical activity were noted by self-administered questionnaires. Compression garment specialist made measures for flat knitted stockings compression class III. that are indicated for lymphedema and have important role in the maintenance phase of limb volume. Despite the fact that primary lymphedema is chronic condition, and it has been left untreated for over thirty years in our patient. With proper lymphedema therapy management and teamwork it is possible to achieve and maintain satisfying treatment results especially if you have motivated and properly educated patient.

Cognitive behavioral therapy versus general health education for family caregivers of individuals with heart failure: a pilot randomized controlled trial

BackgroundWhile support from family caregivers is essential in the care of patients with heart failure (HF), caregiving places a considerable burden on family caregivers. We examined the preliminary effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for caregivers of individuals with HF.MethodsIn this pilot randomized controlled trial, patients with HF and their primary family caregivers (30 dyads) were randomized into CBT (n = 15) or general health education (GHE, n = 15) groups. Caregivers received 8 weekly individual sessions of either CBT (intervention) or GHE (attention control condition). Caregivers completed questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention, and 6 months. Saliva samples collected from caregivers at baseline and post-intervention were analyzed for salivary cortisol. The cortisol awakening response (CAR) and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated using log-transformed cortisol values. We analyzed data from 26 (14 receiving CBT and 12 receiving GHE) caregivers who received at least one session of CBT or GHE (modified intention-to treat) using linear mixed models. Each model included time, study group, and time-by-study group interaction as fixed effects.ResultsPatients were older (66.94 ± 14.01 years) than caregivers (55.09 ± 15.24 years), and 54% of patients and 54% of caregivers were female. Most caregivers (58%) were spouses. A total of 14 (93%) CBT and 12 (80%) GHE participants received at least 1 session (p = .60), and 11 (73%) CBT and 11 (73%) GHE participants completed all 8 sessions (p = 1.00). There were no significant between-group differences in change for salivary cortisol or psychological outcomes. However, the CBT group had significant within-group improvements in perceived stress (p = .011), stress symptoms (p = .017), depression (p = .002), and anxiety (p = .006) from baseline to post-intervention, while the control group had no significant within-group change in the outcomes except for anxiety (p = .03). The significant improvements observed in the CBT group lasted for 6 months. No adverse effects were observed.ConclusionsIn this pilot trial, although between-group differences in change were not significant, CBT resulted in significant improvements in some psychological outcomes with no improvement in the control group. Our findings suggest the potential of the intervention to alleviate psychological distress in HF caregivers. Further examination in larger randomized trials is warranted.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01937936 (Registered on 10/09/2013).

The Importance of Self-Experience in Art for Future Generalist Teachers

The personal attitude of teachers towards the subject they teach, their professional self-efficacy and expertise are essential for their ability to deliver subject content to pupils. However, the relationship of future teachers to the subject is formed earlier in their own educational history than at university. From it derives their interest in the subject and further education. Our research has shown that students specialising in primary education and afterschool education have negative memories of art education at primary schools and they evaluate the subject and its benefits as marginal.
 In this article, we will discuss how the transformation of the didactic approach when focusing more on the creative process rather than on the product can positively affect the already established relationship of future teachers to art education, and contribute to the understanding of the objectives of art education. This research was aimed at generalist teachers (primary school) and undergraduate students who will work in school clubs or as afterschool educators. The research was segmented into three phases where in the first phase of the research, we used a qualitative approach to determine the personal attitude of students to the subject of art education. In the second phase, we used the art-based approach. In this phase, didactic procedures inspired by creative art therapy and reflective experiential education were applied to change this attitude. Art-based approach was chosen mainly because it makes it possible to monitor the changes that take place in the process and at the same time, thanks to the process, it is possible to induce these changes. This type of research generates other, unexpected questions that enable a deeper understanding of the issue. In the third phase students presented their artworks and reflected on the creative processes, as well as on the course itself, its benefits, obstacles and transferable experiences.
 The conclusion of the research is that these methods can in a very short time change the attitude to one's own creative abilities / creative self-confidence / to update and expand the perception of the subject and its goals. At the same time, a need arises for deeper professional education that would facilitate students' didactic preparation of meaningful artistic activities.

Serious Games for Training Myoelectric Prostheses through Multi-Contact Devices.

In the medical context, designing and developing myoelectric prostheses has made it possible for patients to regain mobility lost due to amputations; however, their use requires intensive training. Serious games through multi-touch devices can serve as a complement to the activities carried out during face-to-face sessions with occupational therapists and physiotherapists, as a useful resource to engage patients, especially children, and make them enjoy training. In this paper, we describe our work to support the training of myoelectric prostheses through digital serious games. Firstly, we studied the needs of children with myoelectric prostheses and the way they perform rehabilitation. Secondly, we designed specific games to support training accordingly. Thirdly, we developed a system able to generate variations of these games dynamically, adapting the elements at each round to the needs and progress of each child. The interfaces are simple, friendly, and based on tablets to favor autonomy. Finally, we assessed the potential of the use of these games for rehabilitation. Specialists in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Medicine and Special Education collaborated as experts; they agreed that SilverTouch is good for myoelectric prosthetic training and confirmed its potential to be widely used in this context.

Chinese Music Therapy and Clinical Music Education to treat Anxiety Disorders: The PLUS-Model

Anxiety disorders are broadly considered a global epidemic. In China, they rank among the most prevalent mental disorders and are seriously affecting the younger generation, hence the necessity to foster health education and sustainable resilience. Meta-synthetic construction resulted in a music-based therapeutic framework involving psycho-education, abbreviated as ‘P’, learning conditions ‘L’, underlying mechanisms ‘U’ and self-regulation ‘S’, hence the name ‘PLUS-model’. Interactive psycho-education includes information about anxiety disorders as well as interactive anxiety-management and adequate feedback about learning conditions and teaching styles, e.g. deficiency versus resource-oriented education. Relevant topics also concern underlying mechanisms such as genetic and epigenetic, as well as neurophysiological and psychological processes. In this model self-regulation comprises five domains, according to their initials the so-called ‘A-E-I-O-U-areas’, (i) Aesthetics and the healing power of beauty, (ii) Exposure training based on music-guided trance and imagination techniques, (iii) Immersion in music to enhance self-awareness and cope with obsessive-compulsive cognition, (iv) Organ-rebalancing through methods of Sound Focusing and (v) music-guided access to the unconscious alongside the exploration of one’s individual sources of anxiety. The PLUS-model is part of a comprehensive project to improve mental health in Chinese children and adolescents through arts-based methods for classroom education, which encompasses ‒ in addition to anxiety disorders ‒ attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, oppositional defiant disorders, depression and depressive traits, stress-related disorders and burnout syndromes, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or binge eating disorder, as well as disorders related to the COVID-19 pandemic, e.g. syndromes caused by lockdown and social distancing experiences.

Chinese Music Therapy and Clinical Music Education in Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

With an overall pooled estimate of 7.2% attention, deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is considered a global psychopathological burden in the younger generation, and a prevalence of 6.4% makes it the leading mental issue in China. On the basis of comparative research and meta-synthetic construction, the present article suggests to differentiate between ADHD as a primary psychiatric disorder, ADHD-typical symptoms caused by disturbing environmental conditions, and multifaceted ADHD resembling syndromes generated by adverse developmental processes and inadequate educational facilities. This differentiation has a decisive impact on treatment modes such as (i) clinical music education, e.g. piano tuition, (ii) cultural participation and self-adjustment through arts-based cognitive behavioural therapy, (iii) avoidance of disturbing stimuli as well as music-based resilience techniques, and (iv) Chinese music therapy including sound-meditation, focused listening training, creative self-actualisation and music-based self-regulation. Interdisciplinary approaches combining music therapy and music education are discussed, alongside cross-cultural application and flexible settings, online music therapy included.

Students’ Perception of Cognitive Load in an Accelerated DPT Program with a Blended Curriculum

Administrators and educators in higher education are interested in how academic tutoring services and gender impact perceptions of cognitive load and, therefore, students’ academic success. However, a lack of evidence existed in the literature regarding physical therapy students’ perception of cognitive load in an accelerated Doctor of Physical Therapy program with blended learning. Participants in this quantitative, non-experimental study completed the adapted Cognitive Load Scale to indicate their perception of cognitive load, participation in academic tutoring services, gender, and age. The DPT students perceived high cognitive overload, but a t value of 0.37 and a p value of 0.71 indicated that their perception was not significantly related to gender. Further, a t value of -3.09 and a p value of 0.005 indicated that academic tutoring services played a vital role in minimizing the perception of cognitive overload. However, the p value of 0.11 of the parametric multiple linear regression analysis and the p value of 0.59 of the interaction term indicated no moderating relationship between academic tutoring services and gender. This evidence may assist physical therapy administrators and educators of DPT students in re-structuring blended learning programs and accelerated curricula to reduce student perceptions of cognitive overload.

SmartBathroom Data Visualization Tool to Inform OT Clinical Reasoning

Traditionally, Occupational Therapy assessment of an older adult’s toilet transfer performance has been based on qualitative observation and client self-report. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of supplementing traditional clinical reasoning with quantitative transfer performance data about body and foot position, balance, hand placement and grasping forces on grab bars. Specifically, we conducted an online survey of occupational therapy practitioners and educators to assess the usefulness and usability of 2D and 3D graphic visualizations representing foot and hand position and forces exerted on the floor, toilet seat and grab bars. These data were captured by sensors located throughout GA Tech’s SmartBathroom laboratory during a study of transfer performance. Findings are being used to identify the most useful sensor data and the most effective ways to convey that data to improve training of occupational therapy students.

Effects of Caregiver Interventions for Informal Caregivers of Older Adults With Cognitive Decline

Objectives: To identify baseline factors and process factors, which indicate changes that are associated with caregiving confidence improvement attributed to caregiver support. Methods: An intervention study using 35 informal caregivers (ICG) of older adults (≥65 years old) with cognitive decline. Recipients of ICGs belonged to the Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Interventions were occupational therapy (OT) support or education about illness and effective caregiving methods, which took place in ICGs’ homes. OT interventions included training to reduce physical strain, and improve time and task organizations, and providing assistive devices). Caregiver confidence was measured using a Visual Analog Scale. Data were divided into two groups: improved confidence and decreased/no-change confidence. Eleven baseline data of care recipients (CRs) and ICGs as well as five process data were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Baseline factors that differentiated the two groups were ICG’s age, caregiving confidence level, and CR’s cognitive status, of which classification accuracy was 94.3%. Only Zarit Buren Interview (ZBI) score was associated with caregiving confidence change, of which classification accuracy was 74.3%. Younger ICGs, lower cognition, and lower caregiving confidence among baseline factors, and improved ZBI among the process factors were associated with improved confidence. Discussion: Although our interventions prevented 65.7% of caregivers form declining their caregiving confidence, improving caregiving confidence was difficult while CRs’ cognition continued to decline. However, this positive change was possible even CRs had moderate dementia, on average. Personal interventions may be necessary to improve caregiving confidence and reduce ICG’s burden.

The Impact of Active Learning Instructional Techniques on Recreational Therapy Undergraduate Students

Over the last several years there has been a call to increase the quality of recreational therapy (RT) education. During this same time active learning has grown in popularity as a way to help increase student comprehension. While the vast majority of this growth has occurred in science, technology, engineering and math courses, no research has been found on the impact active learning can have on RT education. The focus of this study was to determine if utilizing an active learning framework, grounded in constructivist theory, would result in an increase in RT student comprehension. The study population consists of 45 undergraduate students enrolled in RT courses at a Midwestern university. Students were randomly assigned to either (1) active learning or (2) traditional lecture sections of the same undergraduate course that was taught in parallel. Student comprehension (assessed via final grades) was compared between the two sections using independent samples t-test. We found that active learning has a greater impact on increasing student comprehension than traditional lecture. These findings support the need for RT educators to examine active learning as a primary method of instruction.

Hypertension Management in Primary Health Care Centres: Blood Pressure Control and Classes of Antihypertensive Medication, Khartoum State, 2018

Background In Sudan, the delivery of care based on the primary health care (PHC) level, which is the first contact with the health system. PHC is the level at which the modifiable risk factors for hypertension are addressed together with the treatment of known hypertensive patients. Objective To assess the management of hypertension in PHC in Khartoum State, 2018. Material and Methods The study was a descriptive cross-section, health centre’s based that covered six PHC centres in Khartoum State. The study interviewed all diagnosed Sudanese hypertensive patients more than 18-years of age who attended the selected PHC centres. The research team collected data using a structured questionnaire and measuring the blood pressure (BP) with a mercury sphygmomanometer. The study variables were demographic characteristics and disease features as independent variables and hypertension control as the dependent variable. The statistician analyzed the data using the statistical package for the Social Science version 21.0 and the Chi-square (χ) test to obtain the p value to test the association between the addressed variables. The study group adopt ethical considerations throughout the study. Results Of the 384 hypertensive patients interviewed in this study, 57% were females and 47.7% were more than 60-years of age. A large percent of the subjects were either primary educated or illiterate (32.6%, 19.8% respectively). More than half of the hypertensive patients (52.1%) were uncontrolled and 52.9% had no comorbidities. Diabetes was predominant (39.3%) among those who had comorbidities. The majority of the patients (92.7%) were adherent to the medication. Of the studied patients, 58.1% used monotherapy. The most controlled patients were the elderly and middle-aged patients and the highly educated patients (p=0.005). Patients with a duration less than five-years were more likely to be controlled (p=0.036). The majority of the patients who used combined treatment were found to be controlled. Conclusion This study concluded that the high prevalence of uncontrolled hypertensive patients attending PHC was mainly attributed to the use of monotherapy, presence of comorbidities and medication non-adherence. The latter is related to patients’ ignorance, financial constraints and dislike of using many drugs during the day. In addition, the use of combined therapy, elder age and high education were factors for better control.

Effect of Cognitive Therapy and Family Psychoeducation in Stroke Clients with Depression and Disability

Stroke patients who were take care in the hospital 30-40% in depression condition. This research aim was to determine the effect of cognitive therapy and psycho Education for depression, helplessness, and ability to change negative thoughts for stroke patients. This research design was quasi experimental pre and post test with control group with a total of sample 87 person with 29 persons are given cognitive therapy and family psychoeducation therapy, 29 persons are given only cognitive therapy and 29 persons are not given therapy. Analysis by anova test and Pair t-test. The result of research show a decrease in depression and helplessness condition and increase the ability to change negative thoughts of stroke clients whom received cognitive therapy and family psychoeducation group larger than whom just only receive cognitive therapy and the group without therapy (p value <0,05). There was factor that contribute depression condition of stroke client is age. Cognitive therapy and Family Psychoeducation are recommended for stroke klien who got depression and helpless to increases the ability to change negative thinking.

Effects of combining manual therapy, neck muscle exercises, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education in patients with migraine: a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundNon-pharmacological approaches for the management of migraine exhibit low to moderate effectiveness due to a lack of high-quality randomized clinical trials. In fact, previous studies applied isolated techniques, which were not representative of common clinical practice. A multimodal approach for migraine may benefit these patients more than isolated approaches. This randomized clinical trial aims to determine the effectiveness of a multimodal protocol combining manual therapy, exercise, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education versus the application of manual therapy or pain neuroscience education alone in patients with migraine.MethodsThis clinical trial will include 75 individuals of both sexes, aged between 18 and 55 years, with migraine. Participants will be randomized into three groups: the therapeutic pain neuroscience education (TPNE; n = 25) group, the manual therapy (MT; n = 25) group, and the multimodal (MM; n = 25) group. The TPNE group will receive one orientation session on migraine and pain self-management, and recommendations for daily active stretching and walking, with subsequent therapist monitoring. The MT group will receive manual therapies targeting musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine. The MM group will receive manual therapies targeting musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine, active neck exercises, and therapeutic pain neuroscience education. The treatment period will last 12 weeks. The primary outcome will be the headache impact, measured using the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6). Secondary outcomes will include migraine frequency and intensity, cervical mobility and strength parameters, neck pain-related disability, kinesiophobia, cutaneous allodynia, pain-related catastrophizing, quality of life, and self-perception of change. All outcomes will be evaluated at the fourth, eighth, and twelfth weeks of the treatment period. Primary and secondary clinical outcomes, such as headache impact, frequency, and intensity, will also be evaluated at the 1-, 2-, and 4-month follow-ups.DiscussionThe results of this randomized clinical trial may provide high-quality clinical evidence of the effects of non-pharmacological treatment options for the management of migraine.Trial registrationThis study was registered under the access code RBR-7s22c75 in the Registro Brasileiro de Ensaios Clínicos (ReBEC) in December 2020.

550-P: Unique Associations of Depressive Symptoms and Diabetes Distress with Quality of Life (QoL) in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Youth with T1D often experience emotional distress, which can negatively impact QoL. We sought to understand associations of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with QoL in youth with T1D. Participants (N=420; 50% male; ages 8-17 years; T1D duration 6.4±3.7 (M±SD) years; A1c 8.3±1.0%; 69% pump treated; 70% having parent with college degree) completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Generic Core Scales (PedsQL)and measures of depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale [CESD]) and diabetes distress (Problem Areas in Diabetes-Pediatric version [PAID-Peds]). Multivariable linear modeling determined independent associations of depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with total, physical, and psychosocial QoL, adjusting for sex, age, T1D duration, A1c, pump therapy, insulin dose, and parent education. Total PedsQL score was 85±13, (physical subscale 89±12, psychosocial subscale 82±15); CESD score was 9±9; PAID-Peds score was 37±24. CESD and PAID-Peds were both correlated with A1c (CESD: p=.01, PAID-Peds: p<.0001); QoL scales were not correlated with A1c. CESD and PAID-Peds were correlated with total, physical and psychosocial QoL (all p<.0001). In multivariable analyses, more depressive symptoms were associated with poorer total (∆R2=.52, p<.0001), physical (∆R2=.35, p<.0001), and psychosocial (∆R2=.51, p<.0001) QoL, adjusting for diabetes distress and sociodemographic/diabetes factors. More diabetes distress was associated with poorer total (∆R2=.05, p<.0001) and psychosocial (∆R2=.06, p< .0001) QoL, adjusting for depressive symptoms and sociodemographic/diabetes factors; more diabetes distress marginally contributed to poorer physical QoL (∆R2=.01, p=.002). Findings suggest unique, negative associations of both depressive symptoms and diabetes distress with QoL. Targeting both depressive symptoms and diabetes distress may help improve QoL in youth with T1D. Disclosure A. Shapira: None. L. K. Volkening: None. L. M. Laffel: Consultant; Self; AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Dexcom, Inc., Dompe, Insulogic LLC, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Laxmi Therapeutic Devices, LifeScan, Lilly Diabetes, Medtronic, Provention Bio, Inc. Funding National Institutes of Health (R01DK089349, R01DK095273, T32DK007260, P30DK036836); JDRF (2-SRA-2014-253-M-B)

Non-pharmacological interventions a feasible option for addressing dementia-related sleep problems in the context of family care

BackgroundSleep disturbances are challenging symptoms associated with mild cognitive impairment or dementia (MCIoD). This study assessed the feasibility of sleep monitoring and non-pharmacological interventions to improve the sleep of New Zealanders with MCIoD and their family carers.MethodsA 5-week multi-modal intervention consisting of timed bright light therapy, physical activity, and sleep education was piloted. Sleep was monitored for a week at baseline and conclusion of the trial using actigraphy, diaries, and questionnaires alongside additional health and wellbeing information concerning both care recipients and carers.ResultsFifteen pairs participated, 9 completed the trial. Patterns of attrition and participant feedback are discussed. Case studies showed that six of the care recipients had minor improvements to sleep efficiency. Some also had improved subjective sleep ratings and quality of life. Changes did not clearly translate to family carers. However, five of them also showed some improvements in sleep status and mental health. Health deterioration of care recipients may mask the effects of the intervention.ConclusionsIt is feasible to use non-pharmacological sleep interventions for people with MCIoD and their family carers. Given the limited treatment options, further consideration of such interventions in future research and clinical practice is warranted.Trial registrationAs this study was to assess the feasibility of proposed methods, it was an observational study without case-control groups nor a medical-based intervention, clinical registration was not required. A future full version of the trial would be registered with the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trails Registry.