bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adult Norms for the Box and Block Test of Manual Dexterity
Authors: Mathiowetz Virgil , Volland Gloria , Kashman Nancy , Weber Karen
Published: April 2012

The Box and Block Test, a test of manual dexterity, has been used by occupational therapists and others to evaluate physically handicapped individuals. Because the test lacked normative data for adults, the results of the test have been interpreted subjectively. The purpose of this study was to develop normative data for adults. Test subjects were 628 Normal adults (310 males and 318 females) from the seven-county Milwaukee area. Data on males and females 20 to 94 years old were divided into 12 age groups. Means, standard deviations, standard error, and low and high scores are reported for each five-year age group. These data will enable clinicians to objectively compare a patient’s score to a normal population parameter.
Time Allocation Patterns of Occupational Therapists in Israel: Implications for Job Satisfaction
Authors: Florian Victor , Sheffer Michal , Sachs Dalia
Published: April 2012

This study analyzes the time allocation patterns at work of a sample group of Israeli occupational therapists who function in different roles and specialty areas. The sample consisted of 89 female occupational therapists working in the areas of physical impairment, rehabilitation, psychiatry, and pediatrics. Subjects recorded all of their activities during one work week and rated 23 previously identified occupational therapy activities according to perceived levels of importance. The results indicated that, on the whole, occupational therapists in all areas devoted at least two-thirds of their time to treatment-related activities (direct and indirect treatment). The results led us to conclude that the time allocation patterns used may have been conducive to “burnout.” Therefore, to facilitate professional growth, we recommend that priorities be set and followed and also that role definitions be adhered to more strictly.
Reliability of the Behavioral Assessment Scale of Oral Functions in Feeding
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth , Dauck Bonnie Swanton , Gevelinger Marcia , Grahn Valerie , Hassett Christine
Published: April 2012

Interrater and test-retest reliability of the Behavioral Assessment Scale of Oral Functions in Feeding were computed for two separate samples of severely and profoundly handicapped students having oral-motor and feeding disorders. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation-generalizability theory approach and resulted in coefficients ranging from .68 to .84. These values were considered only marginally acceptable by current standards of instrument development advocated in the behavioral sciences. This paper discusses the difficulty in developing psychometrically satisfactory assessment instruments for use with the severely and profoundly developmentally disabled and gives implications for practice and future research.
Wheelchair Cushions: A Historical Review
Authors: Garber Susan Lipton
Published: April 2012

An important objective of occupational therapy practice is to maximize functional potential in patients who have physical disabilities. Pressure sores are a major complication in the medical course of these individuals. Therefore, prevention, or at least the proper management, of these sores becomes an important focus for occupational therapists who treat the physically disabled patient. Occupational therapists often prescribe wheelchair cushions to relieve pressure and reduce the risk of ulceration. Unfortunately, occupational therapy literature offers few articles dealing with this significant problem. This paper presents a historical review of wheelchair cushions and details some of the physiological and clinical research efforts that are the basis of prescription practice today.
Performance of Female Adults on the Southern California Visual Figure-Ground Perception Test
Authors: Petersen Paul , Goar Douglas , Van Deusen Julia
Published: April 2012

This study was conducted to assess adult female performance on the Southern California Visual Figure-Ground Perception Test (FGP) and to obtain an estimate of the test’s reliability. Data were obtained for two scoring formats. The first format was the score for all items on the test (TOTAL), and the second format was the score through the fifth error (FIRST-FIVE). The mean scores were 38.24 (SD = 3.2) for TOTAL and 29.71 (SD = 10.14) for FIRST-FIVE. For each format, mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, and skewness values are presented (N = 124). Both formats were reliable over time (.90 and .71, respectively), and scores of the even-numbered items correlated moderately with the odd-numbered items, indicating split-half reliability (.70 and .87 for both administrations of the test). Although the sample was representative across the socioeconomic variable, moderate correlations were obtained between the performance scores and the age and education level variables. We concluded that the FGP is a reliable assessment tool for use with adults; however, a subject’s age and education must be considered when interpreting the scores.
Time Use of Mothers With Preschool Children: A Pilot Study
Authors: Johnson Catherine Blaylock , Deitz Jean Crosetto
Published: April 2012

This pilot study describes and compares the time use for physical child care of two groups of mothers—those with physically handicapped preschoolers (N = 16) and those with normal preschoolers (N = 21). Each mother completed a questionnaire on the time she spent in three categories of physical child care activities. These activities included feeding, personal care, and transportation for physical care. Investigators collected data on both frequency and duration. They reported descriptive data for all categories separately and combined. The results of the study show that the mothers of the physically handicapped preschoolers spent significantly more time engaged in physical child care activities than did the mothers of normal preschoolers. Results also show a high correlation between frequency and duration data for physical child care. The results strongly suggest that the mothers of physically handicapped preschoolers spend significantly more time in physical child care than do the mothers of normal preschoolers. They also suggest that frequency data alone could be collected in further studies in this area without appreciably reducing the accuracy of the results.
Finger Extension Game
Authors: Gesior Catherine , Mann Deborah
Published: April 2012

The finger extension game was designed in response to a learning exercise by two students on preclinical assignment. It is an activity designed to facilitate the rehabilitation process of the finger extensors on a subcortical level. Occupational therapy literature emphasizes exercise techniques rather than incorporating activities with exercise. This game allows the occupational therapist to provide activities that direct the patient’s concentration away from the exercise itself. This article includes a description and a detailed plan for constructing the finger extension game.
Occupational Therapy Treatment Goals for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Neistadt Maureen E.
Published: April 2012

This study examined whether occupational therapists were using treatment time to prepare adults with developmental disabilities for independent living opportunities. Eighty-eight occupational therapy evaluations for 54 adults with developmental disabilities in 18 different community agencies in the Boston area were reviewed to ascertain the focus of treatment goals that reflect treatment approaches. Results indicate that remedial goals significantly outnumbered adaptive ones. Within the adaptive goals, self-care and community living skills were equally represented, but some important community skill areas like advocacy, money management, personal care attendant management, sexuality, and transportation received little or no attention. Implications of these findings for therapists, clients, and third-party payers are discussed.
Occupational Therapists’ Use of Media
Authors: Barris Roann , Cordero Jane , Christiaansen Robert
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine current trends in the use of activities by occupational therapists, to identify factors influencing their selection of activities, and to examine relationships between activities used and therapeutic goals. A questionnaire sent to 500 members of the American Occupational Therapy Association elicited a low response rate; thus, the results are descriptive of only 22% of the original population. The therapists who responded were primarily using activities of daily living and physical or exercise-related modalities although there were some differences according to area of practice and according to the time period in which the therapist received professional training. Clinical education and classroom education were the most frequently cited influences on activity selection, and remediation of musculoskeletal deficits was the most frequently mentioned therapeutic goal.
The Choice of an Appropriate Statistic: A Nonmathematical Approach
Authors: Mann William C.
Published: April 2012

Statistics appear with increasing frequency in the occupational therapy literature. At the same time many therapists do not understand the reasons for selecting certain statistics for a study. This article outlines an approach to selecting statistics that can be used with many research studies. The approach is useful in evaluating the choice of statistics in a published study or a research proposal or in planning a study. The presentation is conceptual, illustrated with examples from occupational therapy literature.
Grip and Pinch Strength: Norms for 6- to 19-Year-Olds
Authors: Mathiowetz Virgil , Wiemer Diana M. , Federman Susan M.
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to establish normative data for 6- to 19-year-olds on four tests of hand strength. The Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and a pinch gauge was used to measure tip, key, and palmar pinch. A sample of 231 males and 240 females from the seven-county Milwaukee area was tested, using standardized positioning and instructions. Results of this study indicate that increases in grip and pinch strength coincide with increases in chronological age, that males are stronger than females in all age groups, and that hand dominance does not significantly affect hand strength scores. Normative data collected in this study were slightly higher than norms from previous American and Australian studies.
The Case for Health Promotion Programs Containing Health Care Costs: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Elias Walter S. , Murphy Robert J.
Published: April 2012

A review is conducted of major studies dealing with the impact of work site health promotion programs on health care costs. Inconsistent results were produced due to measurement, design, and sampling problems. A study of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Indiana employees provided the best evidence of program-related health care cost reductions. Suggestions are made which, if implemented, should enable researchers to more confidently attribute cost reductions to health promotion program activities.
Health Promotion in the Office
Authors: Allen Virginia R.
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists have the training and skill to modify office environments in order to promote employee health. Minor changes in the ways tasks are performed can improve work performance, decrease the incidence of minor health complaints, and help prevent repetition injury. Two employee health promotion education programs are described. They were conducted by an occupational therapist and can be replicated in other settings. One program was a seven-session series for bank employees; the other was a luncheon presentation to office workers employed by a health science university.
Managing an Academic Career
Authors: Masagatani Gladys N. , Grant H. Kay
Published: April 2012

Current predicaments that academic educators deal with, that is, the conflicts between teaching and research responsibilities, the competition within universities for promotion and tenure, and the importance of viewing the university as a complex social-political system are addressed. Recommendations for improvements in the development and education of new faculty members and suggestions for evaluative criteria for the documentation of a faculty member’s performance are offered.
Occupational Therapy Education: The Relationship of Purpose, Objectives, and Teaching Models
Authors: Leonardelli Carol A. , Gratz Rene R.
Published: April 2012

A clearly stated purpose of basic professional education in occupational therapy provides a base for educational programs to develop learning objectives and identify effective teaching models and behaviors. The primary purpose of professional education should be the development of problem-solving skills, self-awareness, and creative productive thinking, with “hands-on” skills relegated to a secondary purpose. Specific learning objectives and the teaching models that have been developed to meet these objectives are presented. The authors further suggest that there must be a relationship between what occurs in the classroom (implementation of teaching models) and the purpose of professional education. A survey of current occupational therapy faculty members was conducted to identify a) their preparedness in the use of teaching models and b) other factors affecting their classroom behavior (years of experience, educational level, area of concentration). Survey results portray a relatively young faculty in both rank and experience. Other data indicate that although 85% of the respondents had taken at least one education course, only slightly more than half were familiar with teaching models. Most respondents felt that course work in educational methods and models aids in the development of more effective teaching strategies.
A Positioning Seat for the Neonate and Infant With High Tone
Authors: Anderson Linda J. , Anderson J. Michael
Published: April 2012

Positioning and seating are important for premature and young infants with tonal problems. Positioning with pillows and sandbags, the use of special handling techniques (Bobath’s neural developmental treatment), as well as other specialized approaches, have not proved satisfactory in reducing tone or spasticity in these infants. We developed an adaptive seat designed to reduce extensor tone through proper positioning. This seat has also been helpful in diminishing agitation. Without these benefits, infants are often immobilized in extension and cannot actively explore their environments. Diminution in agitation has also been important in increasing interaction with nurses.
Promise in Nonparametrics
Authors: Royeen Charlotte Brasic , Seaver William L.
Published: April 2012

This paper proposes the use of nonparametric statistical methods as a way to increase the quality and quantity of research in occupational therapy. Assumptions underlying parametric versus nonparametric methods are compared and the conditions under which nonparametric methods may be preferred are specified. Finally, a synopsis of equivalent nonparametric procedures for common parametric methods is presented.
Occupational Therapy With a Traumatic Bilateral Shoulder Disarticulation Amputee
Authors: Garza Pedro
Published: April 2012

This report describes the application of occupational therapy to a patient with traumatic bilateral shoulder disarticulation. Treatment goals and methods for acute care, preprosthetic training, and prosthetic training are described and illustrated.
Level I Fieldwork: Issues and Needs
Authors: Leonardelli Carol A. , Caruso Lynn A.
Published: April 2012

Level I fieldwork in occupational therapy is coming under close scrutiny by fieldwork sites and schools as accountability in health care becomes increasingly significant. The Wisconsin Council on Education (Wiscouncil) has been examining the problems encountered in implementing Level I fieldwork at both the technical and professional levels since fall 1982. A survey of 169 occupational therapy clinicians and educators was conducted in Wisconsin to address the following: objectives, assessment, scheduling, cost-effectiveness, and areas of responsibility. Results of this survey indicated that the concerns identified within the state may exist at a broader level. Two members of Wiscouncil expanded the project to look at Level I fieldwork issues nationwide.

The nationwide survey results indicate a strong concern among clinicians about the cost-effectiveness of implementing Level I fieldwork. There appear to be different beliefs about the overall objectives of Level I among clinicians, occupational therapy educators, and occupational therapy assistant educators. The majority of clinicians felt that uniform objectives and a uniform evaluation for Level I fieldwork would help facilitate the experience for them.
Nutritional Support and the Occupational Therapist’s Role
Authors: Malamud Ilene G.
Published: April 2012

Nutrition, although important, is often overlooked during hospitalization. At Grant Hospital of Chicago, a nutritional support team is trained in recognizing, assessing, and managing nutritional disorders. The occupational therapist member of this team works to enhance patients’ functional independence physically and emotionally. Knowledge of nutrition is necessary for all health professionals when dealing with the total person.
Evaluation and Management of the Patient With Acute Back Pain
Authors: Caruso Lynn A. , Chan Diedre E.
Published: April 2012

Patients with low back pain are among the largest group of health care consumers today. During an episode of acute back pain the patient may be hospitalized for diagnostic workup and medical management, processes to which occupational therapists can contribute. The occupational therapist’s evaluation includes assessment of the patient’s activities of daily living and understanding of back protection and pain behaviors. The therapist involves the patient in managing his or her back problem by teaching problem-solving skills and identifying appropriate life-style changes. Instruction is provided in proper body mechanics, anatomy of the spine, work simplification, relaxation, and adaptive methods of performing daily activities. Given the short hospitalization period, outpatient follow-up may be provided to facilitate the application of information learned in the hospital to home and work settings. The goal of occupational therapy is to help the patient with low back pain return to a productive life-style.
An Occupational Therapy Protocol for Assessing Infants and Toddlers Who Fail to Thrive
Authors: Denton Rick
Published: April 2012

Children who “fail to thrive” are frequently referred to occupational therapists. Yet there is no organized protocol that therapists could use to assess these children. This paper reviews criteria that distinguish organic from nonorganic “failure to thrive” and describes the occupational therapist’s contribution to the evaluation process. An occupational therapy protocol is presented to facilitate a thorough assessment, emphasizing feeding issues and caretaker-child interaction.
The Self-Esteem of Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Magill Joyce , Hurlbut Nancy
Published: April 2012

This paper examined the self-esteem of 22 adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) (11 girls, 11 boys) who were matched by sex, school, age, and IQ with 22 nondisabled adolescents. Subjects completed the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale (TSCS), the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale II (FACES II), and a demographic questionnaire. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed that the girls with CP scored significantly lower than (a) the boys with CP, the nondisabled boys, and nondisabled girls on physical self-esteem, and (b) the nondisabled girls and boys with CP on social self-esteem. The scores of the boys with CP were similar to those of the nondisabled groups. This differential effect of disability on males and females is discussed in terms of the interactionist theory and the implications for occupational therapy.
Reliability and Accuracy of Visually Analyzing Graphed Data From Single-Subject Designs
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth J.
Published: April 2012

As the number of single-subject research reports in the occupational therapy literature increases, the reliability of clinical decisions made from single-subject data must be determined. This study examined the ability of occupational therapists to reliably and accurately analyze data from single-subject designs using visual inspection of graphed data. Forty-six therapists provided a rating on whether or not a clinically significant change in performance had occurred across the baseline and treatment phases for five graphs of hypothetical data. The results revealed that considerable disagreement existed in making visual judgments based on the five graphs. The data sets were also analyzed using a recently developed statistical procedure for use with single-subject data. The level of agreement between the quantitative analysis and the visual analysis was also poor, suggesting inconsistency in the ability to make accurate visual judgments of single-subject data. The advantages and limitations of graphic presentation and visual inspection of single-subject data are discussed and the argument is made that some form of quantitative analysis should generally be used in conjunction with the visual inspection of graphed data.
The Directive Group: Short-Term Treatment for Psychiatric Patients With a Minimal Level of Functioning
Authors: Kaplan Kathy L.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes a three-level interdisciplinary group program for treating patients on a short-term psychiatric inpatient unit. Special emphasis is given to the lowest level group, the Directive Group, which addresses the needs of patients with a minimal level of functioning, a population that is usually neglected in terms of group therapy. The author developed the Directive Group based on her own clinical experience and later refined it using the model of human occupation as a conceptual framework. Therapists have modified and refined the program since its inception in July of 1977. The benefits and limitations of the program are discussed with applications for other health care settings.
Effectiveness and Efficiency of Criterion Testing Versus Interviewing for Collecting Functional Assessment Information
Authors: Klein-Parris Connie , Clermont-Michel Thea , O’Neill John
Published: April 2012

This exploratory study investigated two factors believed to influence the efficiency (cost/time) and effectiveness (accuracy/validity) of functional assessment, client’s level of functioning, and complexity of the skill items. The results show that cost depends on the mode of assessment; criterion testing was found to be more than twice as expensive as interviewing the client’s caretakers. The effectiveness or accuracy of the assessment was found to be enhanced under two sets of circumstances: (a) when clients were functioning at a higher level and (b) when assessment items were less complex. The findings have implications for developing client assessments that are both efficient and effective.
The Relationship Between Articulation Disorders and Motor Coordination in Children
Authors: Cermak Sharon A. , Ward Elizabeth A. , Ward Lorraine M.
Published: April 2012

This study was designed to examine the relationship between articulation disorders, soft neurological signs, and motor abilities. Fifteen children with articulation problems, as measured by the Templin-Darley Articulation Screening Test and a connected speech sample, were compared with a normal control group (matched for sex and age) on the Quick Neurological Screening Test, the Imitation of Postures test (from the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests), and the 1984 version of the Stott Test of Motor Impairment that has been revised by Henderson. A Significant difference was found between the groups on the Motor Impairment Test and the Quick Neurological Screening Test, supporting the hypothesis that the articulation disorder children would have more motor coordination problems and soft neurological signs than the normal children in the control group. There was no between-group difference on the Imitation of Postures test, suggesting that as a group, children with articulation deficits are not dyspraxic. This study supports other research findings stating a relationship between articulation problems and motor impairment, but it also indicates that this motor impairment is not necessarily dyspraxia.
The Reliability of a Historical Interview With Physically Disabled Respondents
Authors: Kielhofner Gary , Harlan Betty , Bauer David , Maurer Patti
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the reliability of a historical interview with 20 respondents with physical disabilities, An existing interview, the Occupational Role History, was modified and a companion rating scale was developed. Analysis of the test-retest and interrater reliabilities suggest that a stable clinical judgment can be formed from data gathered in a historical interview.
A Review of Entry Level Education in Gerontology
Authors: Strasburg Debra M. , Gingher Merlene C.
Published: April 2012

This study investigated the current state of gerontological instruction in entry level occupational therapy curricula. Four educational needs relating to content inclusion and emphasis, clinical experience, and instructional time were identified through a needs assessment.
The Predictive Validity of the Functional Capacities Evaluation
Authors: Smith Susan L. , Cunningham Sandra , Weinberg Roger
Published: April 2012

This study tested the predictive validity of the Functional Capacities Evaluation (FCE), which included the following three components: a) a Medical History Review, b) a Client Activity Interview, and c) the Smith Physical Capacities Evaluation (SMITH-PCE) as the performance component. The FCE is used in conjunction with the Physical Demands and Environmental Conditions specified by the U.S. Department of Labor to predict a subject’s ability to return to work. The study used a random sample of 52 subjects. An employment questionnaire served as a criterion measure of predictive validity.

The data from the questionnaires were compared with predictions from the evaluations, and a lambdab test was applied to the data. Results suggested that for the sample analyzed, trained registered occupational therapists could use the FCE to predict a client’s ability to return to work more accurately.

The study was limited in that the sample used was drawn from clients seen in only one private practice and that only 42% of the questionnaires were returned.
Therapeutic Modality Comparisons in Day Treatment
Authors: Klyczek James P. , Mann William C.
Published: April 2012

The deinstitutionalization of patients with chronic mental illness and shorter hospitalizations of individuals recently diagnosed as mentally ill has resulted in the establishment of an enlarged network of community mental health services. Diminished federal financial support calls for greater efficiency and accountability in the delivery of community-based mental health services. The purpose of this study was to determine whether differences in treatment approach relate to differences in outcome measures of symptom reduction, community tenure, and relapse. In a study of two day treatment centers, one offering twice as much activity therapy as verbal therapy, and the other offering twice as much verbal therapy as activity therapy, it was found that clients receiving primarily activity therapy achieved four times more symptom reduction, equivalent community tenure, and a three and a half times greater relapse rate than clients receiving primarily verbal therapy.
The Effectiveness of Therapy in Improving Finger Extension in Stroke Patients
Authors: Trombly Catherine A. , Thayer-Nason Linda , Bliss Gail , Girard Charlene Arthur , Lyrist Linda Alberto , Brexa-Hooson Ann
Published: April 2012

Twenty post-stroke patients were assigned to one of three treatment conditions or to a control group to test whether exercises, determined in a previous study to recruit maximal extensor digitorum participation, would improve finger extension function over time. The exercises were resisted grasp, resisted extension, and ballistic extension. Improved function was defined as increased active range of motion, speed of reversal of movement, and ability to grasp and release cylinders. Significantly more subjects assigned to ballistic or resisted extension conditions improved in their ability to rapidly reverse movement over the course of treatment as opposed to those assigned to resisted grasp or control conditions. However, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric analyses of variance indicated that no exercise improved all three components of function significantly more than another or the control condition.

Since no clear difference was found between the control and treatment conditions, it was concluded that motor unit recruitment as an attribute of activity is insufficient to improve function in post-stroke patients. The strength of this conclusion is limited by a chance imbalance of patient assignment in which significantly more patients assigned to resisted and ballistic extension conditions were at a higher level of recovery of motor control.
The Effects of Body Mechanics Instruction on Work Performance
Authors: Carlton Richard S.
Published: April 2012

Thirty food service workers were randomly assigned to two groups; one group received body mechanics instruction while the other did not. The application of the instruction was measured by evaluating the subjects’ use of body mechanics on a novel lifting and lowering task and during performance on the job. Results indicated that the group which received instruction performed significantly better on the novel task than the group that received no instruction. However, no significant difference between groups was found in performance in the work environment. The role of the occupational therapist in a work-related safety program is also discussed.
Using Technology to Control the Environment
Authors: Dickey Ruth , Shealey Susanne H.
Published: April 2012

Over the last 5 years, technological advances have resulted in specialized technical aids, such as electronic communication devices, computer input devices, and environmental control systems, which have made it possible for many persons who are severely physically disabled to enjoy greater functional independence within the home, school, workplace, and the community. This paper focuses on environmental control systems and discusses how occupational therapists match environmental control systems with clients’ needs.
The Management of Work-Related Back Pain
Authors: Caruso Lynn A. , Chan Diedre E. , Chan Adrian
Published: April 2012

This paper describes the Spinal Treatment Program at Columbia Hospital in Milwaukee. The primary goal of the program is to efficiently return the employee with a work-related back injury to the work setting. The two-phase program has been developed to provide treatment of acute injury, patient education, work hardening, and an assessment of the patient’s ability to perform job tasks. Preliminary evaluative data are presented for patients treated from 1982 to 1984. The patient’s discharge status (returned or did not return to work) was examined as a function of sex, age, educational level, employment category, duration of pain, or worker’s compensation status. Results indicated that discharge status was significantly related to sex, employment category, duration of pain, and worker’s compensation status.
Effects of Splinting in the Treatment of Hand Contractures in Progressive Systemic Sclerosis
Authors: Seeger Melinda W. , Furst Daniel E.
Published: April 2012

One of the major factors in the decreasing functional ability of patients with progressive systemic sclerosis is involvement of the patient’s hands with secondary immobility and contractures. In a 2-month study of 19 patients, we assessed whether dynamic splinting could decrease proximal interphalangeal (PIP) flexion contractures. Of the eight patients who completed the study, one experienced a statistically significant improvement in PIP range of motion as a result of the splinting. There was no evidence that the use of the splints served to maintain PIP extension when compared with the control hand.
Affective Responses to Keeping and Not Keeping an Activity Product
Authors: Rocker Janice Dale , Nelson David L.
Published: April 2012

This study examined whether keeping or not keeping the products of a craft activity influences affective meaning and mood. Four groups of undergraduate (n = 23) and graduate (n = 20) students created block-printed stationery. Two groups were allowed to keep their stationery, and two groups were not. The measure of mood changes was the Bipolar Profile of Mood States, which subjects completed before and after the activity. After the activity, subjects also completed the Osgood 12-scale short-form semantic differential, which measured the affective meanings of the activity. Data analysis revealed significant differences between conditions on two out of nine variables. The subjects who could not keep their products became significantly more hostile and significantly more energetic than the subjects who kept their stationery. Implications for occupational therapy theory and further research possibilities are discussed.
Tendon Gliding Exercises
Authors: Wehbé Marwan A.
Published: April 2012

An exercise program for tendon gliding is introduced for use in hand treatment and rehabilitation. The program incorporates thumb range of motion and three basic fist positions: hook, fist, and straight fist. The anatomic and experimental basis of this program is discussed. The exercises allow the flexor tendons to glide to their maximum potential and can greatly facilitate therapeutic activities when incorporated in a comprehensive program of occupational and hand therapy.
Disabled and Nondisabled Infants’ Interactions With Their Mothers
Authors: Barrera Maria E. , Vella Dianne M.
Published: April 2012

This study investigated social interactions between infants and mothers, comparing dyads with physically disabled infants and dyads with nondisabled infants. The groups were matched on mental and motor development, sex, socioeconomic status, birth order, and maternal education. Each infant–mother dyad was videotaped at home during a 10minute period of free play, and blind observers subsequently transcribed infants’ and mothers’ behaviors. In general, the groups were remarkably similar in their interaction patterns. However, a few differences emerged: Mothers of infants with physical disabilities were significantly more commanding than were comparison mothers. Nondisabled infants tended to engage in more eye contact than did infants with physical disabilities. And whereas mothers of nondisabled infants responded to interactive play with interactive play, mothers of infants with physical handicaps tended to respond with commands and verbalizations. These results suggest reciprocal influences between infants and mothers in both groups and highlight emerging maternal behavior patterns that may interfere with the development of communication and independence in handicapped young children.
Wheelchair Accessibility of Public Buildings in Utica, New York
Authors: Martin Linda M.
Published: April 2012

This survey reviewed 13 public buildings for accessibility to wheelchair-bound consumers in Utica, New York. Buildings were both private and government supported. The scale used was based on the 1971 specifications of the American National Standards Institute. Buildings surveyed represented those built before and after enactment of the Architectural Barriers Act of 1968 and were subject to various regulations or no regulations concerning accessibility. Results revealed a trend of improved accessibility in both privately and publicly supported facilities, with the most accessible buildings having been built since 1980. No facility was found to be 100% in compliance with standards.
Developing a Role Activity Performance Scale
Authors: Good-Ellis Marcie A. , Fine Susan B. , Spencer James H. , DiVittis Anthony
Published: April 2012

This article describes the Role Activity Performance Scale (RAPS) and presents data from a study of its reliability and validity. The RAPS evaluates an individual’s functional level, using 12 subscales that represent a range of life roles. It was developed as an instrument for evaluating the impact of occupational therapy and other treatment modalities on the functioning of psychiatric patients. It is also useful in the diagnostic, treatment, and discharge planning processes. Validity and interrater reliability testing involved a sample of 30 patients in two major diagnostic groups. Interrater correlations for subscales and total scores were above .80 and statistically significant. A comparison of the RAPS with other accepted psychosocial rating scales showed strong correlations in scores. The psychometric evidence from this preliminary study supports the continued development and use of the RAPS for both clinical and research purposes.
Continued Construct Validation of the St. Marys CVA Evaluation: Bilateral Awareness Scale
Authors: Van Deusen Julia , Harlowe Diane
Published: April 2012

Previous research suggested that scores on the Schenkenberg Line Bisection Test of unilateral neglect should correlate significantly with bilateral awareness ratings on the St. Marys CVA Evaluation, but that scores on both of these instruments should not correlate with St. Marys perceptual scores. To test this hypothesis, occupational therapists at St. Marys Hospital Medical Center administered the Schenkenberg test and St. Marys CVA Evaluation to 26 cerebral vascular accident (CVA) patients. Spearman rho coefficients were computed.

As hypothesized, the correlation between the Schenkenberg test scores and St. Marys bilateral awareness ratings reached statistical significance, and no significant relationship was found between Schenkenberg scores and St. Marys perceptual scores. However, there was a significant relationship between the St. Marys bilateral awareness ratings and perceptual scores. This result may indicate that clinical observations are not adequate to discriminate between unilateral neglect and perceptual impairments.

The results further the construct validation process of the St. Marys CVA Evaluation. The data also support the position that unilateral neglect is not primarily a perceptual phenomenon.
A Cost Analysis and Management Reporting System in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Logigian Martha K. , Trisolini Michael G.
Published: April 2012

Productivity management through cost analysis is fundamental in today’s health care. A description of a cost analysis and management reporting system based on relative value units is presented in this article along with a practical method of identifying variable, fixed, and total costs for occupational therapy. Occupational therapy management participation in the cost analysis process is also discussed.
The 3-Hour Therapy Criterion: A Challenge for Rehabilitation Facilities
Authors: Intagliata Sharon , Hollander Russell
Published: April 2012

Rehabilitation hospitals and units must meet certain requirements to be reimbursed by Medicare. Section 211 of the Medicare Hospital Manual specifies that at least 3 hours a day of physical and/or occupational therapy must be provided to each patient in addition to other required therapies and services. This article discusses the political and professional context surrounding the implementation of these guidelines and some of the practical issues that managers must address in the process. A case report is used to illustrate the management strategies and specific methods that have been implemented in the Occupational Therapy Department at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago in response to the 3-hour criterion. Data are presented to indicate how these efforts have contributed to raising our level of compliance with the criterion during the 1985–1986 fiscal year. The compliance data are discussed in relation to variation in both the number of patients and staff productivity over the course of the year.
An Occupational Therapy Program for Adults With Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Neistadt Maureen E.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes an occupational therapy independent living skills program for adults with developmental disabilities living in group homes. Four clients have participated in this program for 1 year. Verbal reports from house and workshop staffs and written documentation in the clients’ records were examined to see if the clients’ behaviors changed over the course of their first year in the program. These reports indicate that the clients have moved toward increased independence by showing greater initiative in directing their own care. Treatment issues in group home systems are also discussed.
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: Crisis or Opportunity?
Authors: Bonder Bette R.
Published: April 2012

For at least a decade, concern has been expressed about the status of occupational therapy in mental health. Increases in the number of new jobs and clinicians have not kept pace with growth in other practice areas. Although growing criticism of the practice of deinstitutionalization and an increased focus on cost-effectiveness have recently become major public policy trends in mental health practice, the psychological and nursing professions have responded creatively in order to expand their influence and practice. This paper relates changes in the delivery of mental health services to the systematic study of policy development and careful planning needed to help occupational therapy accomplish the same goals.
Comparing Ways of Measuring Constructional Praxis in the Well Elderly
Authors: Fall Cathryn Cady
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore ways of testing three-dimensional constructional praxis in the independently living well elderly. The testing instruments used were adaptations of the block construction portion of the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination, the block construction portion of the Hemiplegic Evaluation, and the Three-Dimensional Constructional Praxis Test. For each instrument, three types of test administration were developed: models, photographs, and drawings of block constructions. Twenty-four subjects, all more than 70 years old, were tested individually with the 3 three-dimensional constructional praxis tests on the three types of test administration. The effect of order was controlled by counterbalancing. For all three tests, administration with models resulted in the highest performance scores. Although no difference in scores existed between photographs and drawings on the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination and the Three-Dimensional Constructional Praxis Test, performance scores for photographs were significantly greater than scores for drawings on the Hemiplegic Evaluation. Since constructional praxis ability is an important component of many activities of daily living, the findings have strong implications for testing and for teaching new skills to both the well elderly and those disabled by neurological disorders.
Validating a Test of Functional Performance With Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Thibeault Rachel , Blackmer Elizabeth
Published: April 2012

The primary purpose of the study was to contribute to the validation of a recently developed test of functional abilities, the Bay area Functional Performance Evaluation (BaFPE). On the premise that aspects of intelligence influence functional performance, three subscales of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) were administered, in conjunction with the BaFPE task-oriented assessment (TOA), to a sample of 60 psychiatric inpatients with diagnosed depression or schizophrenia. The three subscales (picture completion, block design, and digit symbol) correlated significantly with the TOA, thus supporting its validity.

A second goal was to determine what variables were predictors of functional performance. Age and history of electroconvulsive treatments were negatively associated with the TOA, and level of education was positively associated with it. Variables not associated with the TOA were diagnosis, gender, amount of medication, type of medication, number of admissions, and total time spent in a hospital in the past 2 years. Research and clinical implications are discussed.
Major Themes in Occupational Therapy: A Content Analysis of the Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lectures, 1955–1985
Authors: DeBeer Francia
Published: April 2012

This article presents a content analysis of 26 Slagle lectures, representing 30 years. Lectures were analyzed for primary, secondary, and tertiary themes, and eight recurrent themes were identified: practice, professionalism, education, philosophy/ideology, theory, research, marketing, and history. Implications of these findings for role definition and professional status are addressed.
Perceptions of the Purpose of Level I Fieldwork
Authors: Kautzmann Lisette N.
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine perceptions of the purpose of Level I fieldwork. Academic faculty members, fieldwork supervisors, and students were asked to rank their 10 most valued choices from a list of proposed objectives. Responses were tabulated by frequency, summed, and analyzed.

The results show that objectives from the category of student involvement in the occupational therapy treatment process were ranked most frequently and that objectives associated with understanding the clinical program and facility were ranked the least often. Statistically significant differences between academic and fieldwork educators were identified on two items: (a) “Receive feedback on beginning strengths and weaknesses in professional behavior” and (b) “Opportunity to develop a treatment plan.” Both academic and fieldwork educators differed significantly with students on six items: (a) “Develop an awareness of the patient as a whole person,” (b) “Develop a beginning awareness of patterns of practice in occupational therapy delivery systems.” (c) “Participate in supervisor/supervisee relationship and experience working out communication and personality differences,” (d) “Introduction to evaluation and treatment techniques,” and (e) “Opportunity to develop a treatment plan.” By clarifying the perceptions of the academic faculty, the fieldwork supervisors, and the students, Level I fieldwork will be strengthened and improved.
The Reliability and Validity of a Sensory Developmental Expectation Questionnaire for Mothers of Newborns
Authors: Parush Shula , Clark Florence
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to construct and conduct preliminary reliability and validity studies on a questionnaire designed to measure a mother’s ability to provide an adequate sensory environment for her newborn child. The questionnaire was conceptualized as an extension and application of sensory integrative theory into the domain of maternal role preparation. The instrument assessed (a) a mother’s knowledge of the sensory capacity of the newborn and (b) a mother’s perception of her ability to influence the development of her child. The subjects were 55 primaparas of newborn infants who responded to the questionnaire within 3 days postpartum. The findings demonstrated that the questionnaire measured the two traits reliably. Additionally they indicated that knowledge of the sensory capacity of the newborn correlated positively with perceived influence on development. Maternal age did not correlate with the mothers’ knowledge of the sensory capacity of the child, but did correlate with perceived influence of mothers on development. Educational level of the respondent correlated with scores on both subscales. With further research, it is foreseen that this questionnaire may be used by occupational therapists as a part of a screening interview for identifying mothers who may be at risk for failure to provide adequate sensory experiences for their children.