British Journal of Occupational Therapy
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8597
(FIVE YEARS 287)

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45
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Published By Sage Publications

1477-6006, 0308-0226

2022 ◽  
pp. 030802262110644
Author(s):  
Laura Ingham ◽  
Esther Jackson ◽  
Catherine Purcell

Introduction The Occupational Therapy profession is adaptable and flexible (Thorner (1991) and these characteristics have the potential to act as protective factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the mechanisms that support coping during adversity can help promote future wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore how Occupational Therapy staff felt and coped during the first peak of the pandemic. Method A questionnaire was developed to explore the experiences of Occupational Therapy staff during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The questions explored feelings, mechanisms of support and challenges to both practice and wellbeing. A total of 75 staff responded across one NHS Health Board and reflections were analysed using inductive content analysis. Findings Staff reflected on how their ability to adapt and remain flexible were protective factors. This combined with supportive family members, friends and colleagues led respondents to reflect on how well they coped. Barriers to coping included organisational challenges, personal challenges and professional challenges. Conclusion The importance of consistent communication, the need for staff to remain connected to their profession and the importance of engaging in meaningful occupations were highlighted as key to maintaining wellbeing during adversity.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110614
Author(s):  
Ali Reza Jamali ◽  
Mehdi Alizadeh Zarei ◽  
Mohammad Ali Sanjari ◽  
Malahat AkbarFahimi ◽  
Seyed Hassan Saneii

Introduction This study examined the effectiveness of occupational performance coaching, which was delivered through telerehabilitation, in improving children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) occupational performance, behavior problems, and prosocial behavior in addition to parental self-efficacy and quality of life. Method Forty-three children were matched and randomized to occupational performance coaching or waitlist groups. Occupational performance, parental self-efficacy, behavioral problems, and prosocial behaviors were assessed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Child adjustment and parent efficacy scale-developmental disability (CAPES-DD), the Short-Form Health Survey, and goal attainment scale. Results The intervention group showed greater improvement on occupational performance, specified goals, and behavioral problems. No progress was seen on the CAPES-DD prosocial behavior subscale. In addition, parental quality of life improvement was not maintained after the follow-up phase. Conclusion Occupation performance coaching, which was delivered through telerehabilitation, was effective on children with ASD occupational performance and parental self-efficacy, but it was not effective on the prosocial behaviors of these children.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110422
Author(s):  
Wendy Burrows ◽  
Clare Hocking ◽  
Christine Chapparo

Introduction This study explored occupational therapists’ experiences of embedding the Perceive, Recall, Plan, Perform System of Task Analysis (PRPP) assessment in practice and gained understandings of the clinical utility. Methods Qualitative interpretive description research using data from semi-structured interviews with 11 New Zealand registered occupational therapists and a focus group with two Māori occupational therapists. Thematic data analysis was used to develop themes. Results Five themes emerged: Resonating with practice as it should be, Translating to practice, Communicating assessment findings using an occupational performance focus on cognition, Validating the practice fit and Cultural application. Participants described the PRPP assessment as a flexible tool, which was applied in different ways in varied practice settings, with clients performing a range of culturally specific occupations. Embedding the assessment in practice was an involved process that challenged many participants’ existing assessment procedures and included managing team expectations to perform cognitive-based assessments. Conclusions The PRPP assessment added value to occupational therapists’ practice. Effective implementation of the assessment required a secure occupation-focused perspective and client-centred culturally responsive communication skills. Commitment was needed to both adopt a new assessment process and to communicate occupation-based assessment results. Participants connected as social learners to address practice challenges post-training.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110583
Author(s):  
Claire E Daaleman ◽  
Sarah T Wright ◽  
Timothy P Daaleman

Introduction Occupational therapy (OT) has a rich history of integrating physical and mental health care services, however, there is a limited evidence base regarding the effectiveness of OT interventions for mental health disorders in primary care. Methods A comprehensive systematic review was conducted from database inception through 31 January 2021. Eligible studies had to include: (1) an intervention that involved an occupational therapist in design and/or implementation; (2) a quantitative outcome assessing symptoms related to a mental health disorder; (3) a comparison group; and (4) primary care or community dwelling patients and/or primary care clinical settings. Results The researchers identified five studies and there was heterogeneity in the OT interventions. There were no significant differences between intervention and control groups in depression symptoms at different time intervals. Several trials employed interventions that involved interprofessional team members, including OTs, to provide training in specific strategies that promoted functioning. Other studies utilized only OTs within the intervention arm. OT interventions demonstrated no significant difference in anxiety in one study, however, another indicated a reduction in symptoms. The overall risk of bias was considered low in three studies and unclear in two studies. Conclusion There is limited evidence demonstrating the impact of OT interventions in primary care settings on quantitative outcomes measuring symptoms related to a mental health disorder. Given the heterogeneity of interventions and variation in reported findings, there is need for further pragmatic trials in this area.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110578
Author(s):  
Alisha Ohl ◽  
David Schelly

The Beery Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) battery of tests are some of the most commonly used assessments in pediatric occupational therapy, often used to measure change over time. However, the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) has not been estimated for interpreting change scores. We estimated the MCID for the Beery VMI battery of tests in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Four occupational therapists collected data in a public elementary school on 64 children with ASD. The Beery VMI battery was administered to children with ASD twice, approximately 11 months apart. To estimate MCID values, Beery VMI battery scores were anchored to 15-point Likert questions measuring occupational therapists’ ratings of functional change over three domains: fine motor skills, handwriting, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Using this anchor-based method, we were unable to estimate MCID values for the Beery VMI battery. Children’s Beery VMI battery scores did not change significantly over the course of the school year, and there was only one weak correlation between VMI battery change scores and therapists’ ratings of change. The inability to estimate Beery VMI battery MCID values for children with ASD adds further support for research cautioning the use of the Beery VMI as an outcome measure.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110452
Author(s):  
Elysa Roberts ◽  
Jessica Skipsey

Introduction Recovering from bulimia nervosa challenges a person to learn, revise, and do occupations that contribute to rather than detract from health. This study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to (a) explore the recovery experiences of six adult women with histories of bulimia nervosa and (b) interpret how their accounts reflected the assumptions and characteristics of occupation. Methods Data were collected via audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews. Data analysis within and between cases identified six superordinate themes, which included interpretation in terms of criteria of occupation. Findings Superordinate themes reflect (1) occupation emerged in recovering from bulimia nervosa through committed action, not doing what fueled bulimia nervosa, adopting new ways of living, prioritizing self-care, connecting with others, and creating supportive environments and (2) recovery from bulimia nervosa can be construed as an occupation. Conclusion This study provides insight into nuances of recovery from bulimia nervosa. Results offer novel implications distinct to an occupational therapy lens, for example, consideration of self-care beyond eating and meal preparation; modification of the home, work, and social environment; and setting goals associated with not doing versus doing. Further, the interpretative finding of recovery as occupation holds implications for the evolving philosophical considerations within occupational science and therapy.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110578
Author(s):  
Anne A Escher ◽  
Sarah McKinnon ◽  
Sue Berger

Introduction Occupational therapists work with clients with impaired communication to re-engage in valued occupations. This systematic review seeks to answer the question: What are effective interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to address participation for adults with aphasia? Method A systematic review of the literature was completed using PubMed, PsychInfo, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and OT Seeker databases. Intervention studies within the scope of occupational therapy practice with a participation outcome, and published in peer reviewed journals from 2000 to 2019, were included. The quality of each study was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings Thirteen articles fit the inclusion criteria. Categories of interventions that emerged from the data include community-based groups, individually tailored programs, adaptation/presentation of materials, interprofessional interventions, and psychoeducation. Conclusion There is evidence to support the use of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice to increase participation for people with aphasia. Specifically, the use of community-based groups and adaptation of materials are effective to facilitate participation. Most of the studies were pre-post one group design; however, they demonstrated positive results for participation outcomes. More research is needed on people with aphasia that focuses on participation in meaningful occupations.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110578
Author(s):  
Cynhia Engels ◽  
Lauriane Segaux ◽  
Florence Canouï-Poitrine

Introduction The periods of lockdown during 2020 led to changes in daily occupations. As participation relies on dynamic interactions between the person, his/her occupations and his/her environment, we wondered whether people from different generations shared the same perception of occupational disruptions during the lockdown. Methods We performed an online survey based on the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) of adults in 27 European Union countries, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Three groups were compared: young adults (YAs, aged 18–39), middle-aged adults (MAs, aged 40–59) and older adults (OAs, aged 60 and over). Results 2865 participants (YAs: 47%; MAs: 33%; OAs: 20%) reported a total of 6549 disrupted occupations. The most frequently disrupted domain was leisure (83%), followed by productivity (16%) and self-care (2%); there were no significant intergroup differences ( p = 0.18). In a multivariate analysis, socializing disruptions were more likely to be associated with younger age (adjusted odds ratio (OR) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.62 [0.50–0.76] for YAs versus MAs and 0.46 [0.30–0.71] for YAs versus OAs. Conclusion With the exception of socializing, the main disrupted occupations were similar from one generation to another. Our findings might enable the more accurate assessment of the risk of occupational disruption in a restrictive environment.


2021 ◽  
pp. 030802262110543
Author(s):  
Lisa Dibsdall

Introduction Reablement services support people to regain skills and increase their independence. This aim resonates with occupational therapy philosophy. This article presents results of a study of the role of occupational therapists in reablement services that involve two organisations. Method Theories on the role of occupational therapists in reablement were identified using a realist synthesis approach and were tested and expanded using a qualitative case study design. Each of the three case studies consisted of one reablement service in England. Methods of the study included observations and interviews with occupational therapists, interviews with managers in both organisations and focus groups and interviews with reablement support workers. Findings Findings conclude that occupational therapists’ education and experience underpin their ability to undertake assessments and person-centred goal setting. They utilise a range of intervention techniques selecting from their toolbox of interventions to support people. Occupational therapists have a role in training reablement support workers to work in an enabling way. Regular communication and co-location support levels of trust and shared purpose between members of the reablement team. Conclusion The conceptual framework developed from the study can be used by organisations when commissioning and developing reablement services to consider the different contextual layers of reablement.


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