Occupational Therapy International最新文献

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore disabled occupational therapy practitioner (OTP) experiences of ableism in the occupational therapy profession.

Materials and methods: This study used a critical qualitative approach led by three disabled occupational therapists and informed by disability studies theory. Researchers conducted 12 semistructured interviews with disabled OTPs. Interviews were analyzed using codebook thematic analysis.

Results: Experiences of ableism were pervasive for OTPs with disabilities. Disabled OTPs experienced ideological, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized ableism in the profession. Participants described varying views of the culture of occupational therapy regarding disability. Participants navigated their work through the use of social supports, formal, informal, and self-accommodations, and coping strategies. Disabled OTPs also described how their disabilities informed their approaches to practice, including antiableist and disability-affirming approaches. Disabled OTPs readily identified room for change in the profession and provided recommendations for improving accessibility and inclusivity in OT.

Conclusions: Participants experienced disability oppression (ableism) in the profession. Structures and norms in the profession prioritized nondisabled ways of being that contributed to many of the barriers experienced. Participants' approaches and recommendations can help disrupt systems of ableism in occupational therapy.

Introduction: Sensory processing is foundational for learning and behaviors. Challenges in sensory processing can impair daily functioning; therefore, sensory processing disorder is frequently linked with neurodevelopmental disorders and other clinical conditions, though it can also occur independently. However, there is a lack of validated tools in Indonesia for assessing sensory processing difficulties. The Sensory Processing Measurement second edition (SPM-2) is available in English and other languages. To ensure its accuracy for the Indonesian-speaking population, a study was conducted to translate, validate, and ensure its reliability and cultural relevance in Indonesian. This study is aimed at translating and testing the validity and reliability of the Indonesian version of the SPM-2 for preschoolers.

Materials and methods: A step-by-step approach will be conducted according to principles of good practice for the translation and cultural adaptation process for patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures from the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes (ISPOR). After obtaining permission from the publisher of the instrument, a sworn translator will conduct a forward translation. A native English translator will perform backward translation. Each of these translating processes will require harmonization to produce results involving a team of experts and the copyright owner. Cognitive debriefing will be conducted on parents/caregivers and teachers of 100 children ages 2-5 years. Content validity will be assessed by calculating the Item-Content Validity Index (I-CVI) and Scale-Content Validity Index (S-CVI). Moreover, reliability will be assessed using Cronbach's alpha. The result will be reviewed by the expert committee to finalize the translated document.

Discussion: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of instruments require a systematic approach to ensure their quality for research and clinical settings. Further study shall follow to test the psychometric properties of the Indonesian version of SPM-2 before it is ready for use nationwide.

Background: Informal caregivers have played a significant role since stroke survivors were discharged from the hospital. Caregivers carry out stroke survivors' daily activities, which can be burdensome. Caregiver coping strategies to reduce this burden have not been widely studied, especially in Indonesia. Purpose: This study was aimed at exploring the act of devotion as a coping strategy to reduce the burden of caring for stroke survivors. Method: This was an exploratory qualitative study of 30 informal caregivers of stroke survivors who live in a community in Surakarta, selected using purposeful sampling. In-depth interviews to explore the act of devoting as a coping strategy and observations of caregivers were conducted from June 2021 to December 2022. Finding: The data analysis revealed two primary themes: "family ties" and "physical." The family ties theme emerged with five subthemes: pride, sincerity, resigned, destiny, and responsibility. The physical theme consisted of two subthemes: ability and spirit. Conclusion: Devotion as a coping strategy for stroke informal caregivers in the community plays a crucial role in maintaining the continuity of care. It involves pride, sincerity, resigned, destiny, responsibility, ability, and spirit. Further research on the results of these findings is needed on how caregivers maintain their quality of life as they begin to become caregivers.

Introduction: Advocacy is a cornerstone of occupational therapy practice, yet systemic barriers and complex interpersonal dynamics often hinder its effective implementation. This study was aimed at exploring the essential elements that occupational therapists perceive as essential for advocating effectively on behalf of the individuals they collaborate with. Methods: Eleven occupational therapists participated in a 3-month educational program grounded in theatre pedagogy, an experiential learning approach designed to foster self-reflection and practical skill application. Following the program, semistructured interviews were conducted, and the data were analyzed using thematic analysis to identify key elements of advocacy. Findings: The analysis revealed three core themes: occupational justice awareness, creativity and flexibility, and perspective expansion. Participants highlighted the importance of recognizing systemic inequities and promoting inclusive practices to achieve occupational justice. Creativity and adaptability were identified as essential for tailoring advocacy strategies to diverse contexts and challenges. Perspective expansion, encompassing cultural humility and reflective practice, emerged as vital for understanding the multifaceted dynamics of advocacy and the evolving roles of therapists in addressing personal needs. Conclusion: This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on advocacy in occupational therapy by identifying specific competencies that enhance advocacy efforts. The findings underscore the need for targeted training programs and resources that integrate experiential learning methodologies to strengthen these competencies. By cultivating these skills, occupational therapists can become more effective agents of change, advancing relationship-focused care and societal equity.

Purpose: Research indicates that women with brain injury have a higher risk of not resuming their work roles. This study investigates the influence of sociodemographic, impairment-related and environmental factors on the return-to-work outcomes of women with acquired brain injury in Cape Metropolitan, South Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 139 women aged 18-65 with acquired brain injury in Cape Metropolitan, South Africa. Participants were conveniently sampled, and the Work Rehabilitation Questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics Version 26, focusing on sociodemographic, impairment-related and environmental factors influencing return to work outcomes. Results: Women with acquired brain injury who participated in this study yielded a postinjury return to work rate of 61.2%. Older women were less likely to return to work (odds ratio: 0.905). Environmental support, particularly from workplace supervisors or managers, significantly enhanced RTW (odds ratio: 5.660). Marital status, impairment-related restrictions, type of vocational intervention and family support were not significant predictors of return to work. Conclusion: These results highlight the necessity for multidimensional and integrative RTW programmes that address both personal and systemic barriers. Such programmes are essential to promoting sustained economic participation and improving the quality of life for women with ABI.

Objective: Asian American (AA) caregivers have unique cultural values that influence their mental health during caregiving. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are positioned to serve this population because of their holistic lens and their relationship with care recipients and caregivers. The objective of this study was to examine AA OTPs' perspectives on barriers, facilitators, and interventions to support the mental health of AA caregivers in older adults with chronic conditions. Design: This study used a qualitative phenomenological design. Data were collected through virtual interviews (n = 10) and focus groups (n = 2) and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Twelve AA OTPs (n = 12) participated in this study, all were occupational therapists (n = 12); most were female (n = 10) and had a Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree (n = 9). Two domains were found during this study: (1) barriers and facilitators to support the mental health of AA caregivers and (2) OTP strategies to support the mental health of AA caregivers. Barriers and facilitators include AA cultural beliefs, provider identity, and access. OTPs can support this population by utilizing their soft skills, assessment and clinical reasoning skills and through interventions, including caregiver education and social support. Conclusion: This study addressed the literature gap on supporting AA caregivers' mental health through an OTP perspective. OTPs can enhance support by understanding AA culture, examining biases, and refining strategies for caregivers' mental health. Healthcare providers can prioritize caregiver support, boost AA representation in healthcare, improve service accessibility, and involve OTPs in caregivers' mental health support.

Introduction: Stroke significantly impacts survivors' lives, affecting their physical, cognitive, and emotional well-being. Understanding how these individuals participate in daily activities and societal roles is crucial for optimal rehabilitation and support. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) offer valuable insights into stroke survivors' experiences and perceptions regarding their participation in various life aspects. This systematic review focuses on PROMs specifically designed to evaluate participation following stroke, based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). By analyzing existing measures, this review is aimed at identifying gaps, strengths, and opportunities for enhancing participation assessment in stroke rehabilitation. Method: A comprehensive search of keywords related to stroke, participation, and assessment was conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, PEDro, and OTseeker. The review process was conducted based on the PRISMA-Consensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) guidelines. The COSMIN checklist was utilized to investigate the psychometric properties of the studies, and the results were synthesized narratively. Results: Thirty-seven studies were ultimately included in the review after the full-text evaluation. The review identified 10 PROMs, including the Functional Behavior Profile, Meaningful Activities Participation Assessment, Nottingham Extensive Activities of Daily Living Scale, Rivermead Mobility Index, Reintegration to Normal Living Index, The Subjective Index for Physical and Social Outcome, and Stroke Impact Scales. While these tools are developed with appropriate psychometric properties and focus on varying dimensions of survivors' participation, significant gaps remain in fully addressing their comprehensive needs. Specifically, the tools often overlook contextual differences and fail to adequately assess satisfaction in daily activities. Conclusion: The identified gaps illustrate the need for more comprehensive measures that accurately capture stroke survivors' diverse experiences. Improving these assessments is essential for informing clinical practice and rehabilitation strategies, ultimately enhancing patient engagement, satisfaction, and quality of life and improving rehabilitation outcomes for stroke survivors.

Background: The role of occupational therapy is to provide management for various conditions including neurological, musculoskeletal, and psychological disorders, with the aim of maximizing function and independency in daily occupations. According to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), occupational therapy is a client-centered health profession concerned with promoting health and well-being through occupation. In Saudi Arabia, there are escalating rates of chronic conditions, which create an increasing demand for occupational therapy services. Yet, occupational therapy practice frameworks, as well as areas of assessment and intervention, are not well explored within the context of Saudi Arabia. Purpose: The aim of this research is to identify the most common disorders that occupational therapists work with within Saudi Arabia and the approaches used for managing these disorders. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. An electronic survey was distributed to 230 occupational therapists working in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of two sections; the first was on educational backgrounds, and the second section was about the common conditions encountered in a clinical setting and the treatment approaches applied. The interventions nominated by participants were mapped to the person-environment-occupation model and to the occupational therapy practice framework. Results: The overall response rate was 57%. Analysis of data of 131 participants revealed that neurological diseases (e.g., stroke, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease) were the most common conditions managed by occupational therapists (64.3%), while respiratory diseases had the lowest percentage (4.7%). With regard to intervention approaches, "therapeutic exercise" was the most commonly applied approach as was reported by 77.1% of the therapists, while "functional electrical stimulation" was the lowest chosen approach as it was applied by 19.8% of the therapists. Conclusion: Occupational therapists in Saudi Arabia manage a variety of conditions and apply a wide range of rehabilitation approaches, yet gaps still exist in providing a holistic approach. The study emphasizes the importance of redirecting the focus of occupational therapists to core concepts of maximizing functioning and occupational performance and using occupation as a mean and as an outcome of rehabilitation.

Introduction: Transferring effectively into and out of a vehicle seat is required for functional mobility and social participation. Reliable and valid vehicle and simulator car seat transfer tests are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and concurrent validity of a car seat transfer test for application with a vehicle and a simulator car seat. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted and reported according to the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies (GRRAS), the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statements and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007. Consecutive healthy adults who expressed interest and met the inclusion criteria were recruited for our study. A standardised vehicle and simulator car seat transfer test was undertaken on two visits, 7 days apart. WOMAC, hip and knee active range of motion assessment, self-selected gait speed measurement and the five-repetition sit-to-stand test were undertaken on the first visit. Results: Complete data collection was performed with 42 healthy adults. There was good interrater (ICC = 0.99; 95% CI 0.99, 1.00), intrarater (ICC = 0.79; 95% CI 0.62, 0.89 to ICC = 0.91; 95% CI 0.76, 0.96) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.87; 95% CI 0.77, 0.93 to ICC = 0.94; 95% CI 0.89, 0.96) for car seat transfer test times for getting into and out of the vehicle and the simulator car seat. There were strong and significant correlations (r = 0.84-0.89) between the vehicle and simulator car seat test times; these times correlated significantly with measures of physical function including self-selected gait speed and five-repetition sit-to-stand test results (p < 0.001). Conclusion: A standardised car seat transfer test is reliable and valid for testing car seat transfer ability in a vehicle and a simulator car seat.

Introduction: Delivering occupational therapy services in the acute care setting requires certain skills and abilities to ensure safety and effectiveness among a variety of medically complex populations. Presently, no standardized tool exists to assess OT students' self-efficacy in this context. In this study, we developed the Occupational Therapy Acute Care Self-Efficacy Scale (OTACSES) to assess OT student self-efficacy in acute care contexts and tested its test-retest reliability and precision in first-year OT students. Materials and Methods: Researchers developed the scale items based on literature, expert interviews, and a student population. The OTACSES was then administered to 47 OT students to assess the internal consistency of "abilities" and "knowledge" subscales. Following the process of item reduction, the scale was readministered a week later after a no "intervention" control period. Student test and retest data were analyzed to assess reliability and precision. Results: The finalized knowledge and abilities subscales demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Further, the total and subscale scores demonstrated excellent test-retest reliability and acceptable precision. Finally, changes of five, three, and seven points in the abilities, knowledge, and total scores, respectively, can be assumed to be "meaningful." Discussion: The OTACSES is a reliable and precise tool for measuring students' self-efficacy in the acute care setting. We present preliminary data on clinically meaningful change. Further research focusing on the tool as an outcome measure of the efficacy of acute care-relevant OT education and its appropriateness for use among practitioners is needed.