bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zone of Potential Development for 4-Year-Olds Attempting to Simulate the Use of Absent Objects
Authors: Lyons Barbara G.
Published: December 2014

The zone of potential development for 4-year-olds attempting to pretend to use objects was examined. Previous studies found that during standardized tests 4-year-olds tend to position their hands as if their hands were the object as opposed to positioning their hands as if they were holding the object. The present study proposed that, while 4-year-olds tend to produce the less mature responses when asked to pretend to use objects, the ability to produce realistic responses is within their zone of potential development. This means that with experimenter assistance they would be able to select and execute the more realistic responses. Seventy-two 4-year-olds were assigned to one of four conditions: verbal, practice, demonstration, and imaginary context. Each child was asked to pretend to use eight objects. The results showed that the demonstration group produced significantly more realistic responses than the other groups. The imaginary context group produced significantly more realistic responses than the verbal and practice groups. The findings are discussed as an illustration of how knowledge of children's zone of potential development for this and for other tasks can help therapists plan more effective treatment.
Admissions Variables as Predictors of Performance in Basic Science Coursework
Authors: Leonard D. Lisa , Niebuhr Bruce R.
Published: December 2014

The basic science courses in occupational therapy programs, though challenging must be mastered if students are to have the necessary foundation for success in theoretical and skills courses. This study was designed to determine the relative contribution of several types of admissions data in predicting the success of junior students in the first term of a human anatomy and physiology course. Overall GPA, science GPA, science credits, scores on the Otis-Lennon Mental Abilities Test and Nelson-Denny Reading Test, and type of school attended were significantly correlated with the grades achieved in the course (46% of the total variance in grades on a multiple-regression analysis). Overall GPA and type of school attended were the best predictors of grades (37% of the variance). This important predictive information can aid in identifying students who require additional academic development.
Occupational Therapy Theory: Values Held by Undergraduate Students
Authors: Van Deusen Julia
Published: December 2014

This study examined the priorities for theory application and for theory development of 149 students from four different undergraduate occupational therapy curricula. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks and again using the F test followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test. Results of the two analyses were consistent. Compared to registered occupational therapists, undergraduate students hold higher priorities for theory application and lower priorities for theory development. The data support a developmental sequence for theory valuing: value for theory application → value for research → value for theory development.
A Sensorimotor Integation Test Battery for CVA Clients: Preliminary Evidence of Reliability and Validity
Authors: Jongbloed Lyn E. , Collins John B. , Jones Wayne
Published: December 2014

A newly developed Sensorimotor Integration Test Battery (SMITE) for assessing sensorimotor integration deficits in cerebral vascular accident (CVA) clients consists of 16 scales adapted from Ranka and Chapparo. Alpha reliabilities obtained from 84 CVA clients ranged from fair (.45) to strong (.95) but averaged .82 for all tests combined. The scales were further examined under four definitions of validity: discriminant validity, construct (factorial) validity, clinical validity, and robustness against biases due to sex or age. The Hooper Test of Visual Organization, Finger Maze, and Finger Identification Tests discriminated among locations of various cerebral vascular insults; clinical validity measures were strongest for the Symbol Digit Modalities Test, Visual Attention Test, Motor Accuracy, and Imitation of Non-Habitual Postures. The test results showed little bias in terms of clients' sex or age. Four major factors were identified among the battery's individual tests: Sensorimotor Integration, Visual Processing, Tactile Discrimination, and a diagnosis factor that includes the three standardized tests of visual/spatial organization. The SMITB clearly extracts more information during its 90-minute administration setting than clinicians and therapists currently use.
The Role Checklist: Development and Empirical Assessment of Reliability
Authors: Oakley Frances , Kielhofner Gary , Barris Roann , Reichler Randy Klinger
Published: December 2014

This article describes the development and reliability testing of the Role Checklist, a two-part written inventory designed to identify past, present, and future roles and the degree to which individuals value each role. Roles included provide expectations and/or opportunities for occupational behavior, such as student, worker, volunteer, care giver, home maintainer, friend, family member, religious participant, hobbyist/amateur, and participant in organizations. To assess reliability, we administered the checklist twice to a group of 124 normal volunteers ranging in age from 18 to 79. Values obtained for kappa and weighted kappa, measures of agreement that correct for chance agreement, suggested moderate or better agreement for Parts 1 and 2 of the checklist. We concluded, therefore, that the checklist has satisfactory test/retest reliability.
Preliminary Report of a Methodology for Determining Tactile Location in Adults
Authors: Sieg Kay W. , Williams William N.
Published: December 2014

This article describes a clinically practical instrument and a reliable testing methodology that could be useful for assessing patients with disordered tactile systems. An aesthesiometer designed and constructed for this study was used to administer nine stimuli involving combinations of three different pressures (½, 1, and 2 ounces) and three different durations (½, 1, and 3 seconds), to eight stimuli sites on the dorsal and volar surfaces of the forearms and hands of 30 normal young adult women. Subjects were blindfolded and instructed to localize by pointing to each spot touched. Localization error measurements were made of the distance between the subject's finger tip and the stimulus spot. Analysis of variance of results revealed a significant difference ( p < .0001) in subjects' performance among the several stimuli. The heaviest pressure and the longest duration (2 ounces, 3 seconds) resulted in the most accurate responses. Likewise, the lightest pressure and shortest duration (½ ounce, ½ second) resulted in the least accurate responses.
An Analysis of Serial Dependency in Occupational Therapy Research
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth J.
Published: December 2014

Single-subject and time-series designs have recently been advocated as a preferred method of examining clinical change in individual patients. Data from single-subject designs are frequently analyzed by means of graphic presentation and visual inspection. The presence of serial dependency or autocorrelation in data collected from a single individual can reduce the reliability and accuracy of visual inferences. Fifty-four data paths from single-subject research published in the occupational therapy literature were reviewed to determine the degree of serial dependency present in each data set. The results revealed that a large portion (41 %) of the data sets contained a significant degree of autocorrelation. The implications of a high degree of serial dependency in relation to data analysis and interpretation are discussed, and methods to reduce the effect of serial dependency are suggested.
Improving Prehension Skills of Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Clinical Study
Authors: Barnes Karin J.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to obtain preliminary data concerning the effectiveness of two treatment procedures—weight bearing on extended arms and passive trunk rotation—on the development of prehension skills. A multiple baseline across subjects, with reversal phases, research design was used. Measurement procedures were designed to be sensitive to small behavioral changes in the prehension skills of three children with spastic cerebral palsy. Eight movement components of reach, grasp, and release were measured. Prehension skills of all three subjects showed improvement as a result of weight bearing on extended arms. No measurable changes were observed as a result of passive trunk rotation. Results indicate that this type of measurement procedure is sensitive to the small behavioral changes seen frequently in the treatment of cerebral palsy.
Engagement in Daily Occupations and Life Satisfaction among People with Spinal Cord Injuries
Authors: Yerxa Elizabeth J. , Baum Susan
Published: December 2014

Fifteen community-based subjects with spinal cord injury were compared with 12 age- and sex-matched cohorts on demographic characteristics, pattern of engagement in daily occupations, levels of satisfaction in performance of home-management and social/community problem-solving skills, overall life satisfaction, and locus of control. Significant differences were found in employment, annual income, and use of time for work and activities other than sleep, rest, self-maintenance, and play. Subjects with spinal cord injury had lower levels of satisfaction than nondisabled counterparts with performance of home-management and social/community problem-solving skills. A significant relationship between satisfaction with performance and overall life satisfaction was found for the total sample (N= 27). No significant differences were found in overall life satisfaction or locus of control between the disabled and nondisabled subsamples.
A Pilot Study of Job Burnout among Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists
Authors: Brollier Chestina , Bender Doreen , Cyranowski Jill , Velletri Carolyn Moseley
Published: December 2014

Job-related stress over a prolonged period may lead to feelings of exhaustion, commonly referred to as burnout. Little is known, however, about the prevalence of such conditions among occupational therapists. This study addressed the following general research questions: Is burnout a significant problem among hospital-based registered occupational therapists (OTRs)? Is the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) an appropriate instrument for measuring burnout of OTRs? Do specific OTR subgroups score differently on the measures of burnout? To gather exploratory data in this area, the MBI and a demographic sheet were administered to 135 hospital-based OTRs employed in Virginia. Findings suggested that the OTR respondents experienced moderate levels of burnout. Managers/supervisors, OTRs employed in government-owned facilities, OTRs employed in general hospitals, and OTRs treating patients included under the Medicare Prospective Payment System experienced significantly higher levels of burnout than those in other settings. The MBI appeared to be the best available instrument for measuring burnout; however, norms should be established for the occupational therapy profession.
Estimating Educational Costs of Clinical Placements for Occupational Therapy Students
Authors: MacKinnon Joyce R. , Page Gordon G.
Published: December 2014

Estimates of the number of hours of single-purpose and joint-purpose instructional activities and percentage estimates of direct-contact time were provided by clinicians from a sample of 12 of 28 agencies providing clinical placements for occupational therapy students. These agencies provided 77.3 % of the total clinical hours for the student population during a 12-month period. The sample data from these agencies were used to estimate the educational costs to agencies for the total occupational therapy clinical program. Both the methodology and the findings of this study are relevant to government, educational institutions, and clinical agencies to assist in defining policies and funding mechanisms for clinical training programs.
Use of the Model of Human Occupation to Predict Women's Exercise Behavior
Authors: Rust Kathleen M. , Barris Roann , Hooper Frank H.
Published: December 2014

This study used the model of human occupation as the basis for an analysis of leisure exercise behavior. A sample of 140 adult women completed a questionnaire that measured level of physical activity, age, and both generic and exercise-specific measures for the following model components: personal causation, values, interests, habits, and roles. A series of stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed the exercise-specific operationalization of the model to be somewhat successful ( R2=0.42) in predicting exercise behavior. Implications for research and clinical use of the model are addressed, and it is recommended that assessment be specific to the type of occupational behavior under consideration.
Postural-Sway Responses in Learning-Disabled Children: Pilot Data
Authors: Polatajko H. J. , Sullivan Theresa
Published: December 2014

This investigation examined the postural-sway response of a matched group of learning-disabled and normal subjects. The subjects were evaluated on a force platform both with their eyes open and with their eyes closed. Four dependent variables, the measures of sway, were subjected to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), with group as the independent variable. The analysis revealed F= 4.25 ( p <.07). The Univariate F test revealed Root Mean Square Y (EC) to be significant at p <. 002. A t test revealed Romberg Y to be significant at p <. 026. The results indicated a significant difference in postural sway between the two groups. The learning-disabled group appeared to be using visual input to compensate for postural problems and experiencing significant difficulty controlling posture in an anterior/posterior direction, especially with their eyes closed. Limitations of the study are discussed, and implications for occupational therapy and future research are outlined.
Home Environment and Adjustment in Families with Handicapped Children: A Canonical Correlation Study
Authors: Petersen Paul , Wikoff Richard L.
Published: December 2014

The hypothesis that adjustment within the family of a handicapped child is due to more than just the presence of the child was investigated using canonical correlation. Five borne environment variables—handicapped-related events, resources available, severity of symptoms, other sources of stress, and socioeconomic status—and three adjustment variables—subjective assessment of the child's presence, marital adjustment, and maternal health—were used. Data were collected from 105 mothers of handicapped children. Two significant variates emerged with canonical correlations of .776 and .447. The total redundancy for the adjustment variables across both variates was .346. For the environment variables, the total redundancy was .251. The resources available and the number of handicapped-related events were the most important environment variables, and socioeconomic status was the least important.
Developmental Dyspraxia: Is it a Unitary Function?
Authors: Ayres A. Jean , Mailloux Zoe K. , Wendler Cathy L. W.
Published: December 2014

Children ( N = 182) with known or suspected sensory integrative dysfunction and who ranged in age front 4 years, 0 months, to 9 years, 11 months, were assessed using tests and clinical observations to examine developmental dyspraxia. Correlations and factor analyses indicated strong associations between praxis, tactile sensory processing, visual perception, and repeating of sentences. The major factor represented visuosomatopraxis function with elements linked by concept formation. Auditory memory delineated a second factor and kinesthesia another factor. Any contribution of the vestibular system to praxis could not be clearly isolated. The study did not justify the existence of either a unitary function or different types of developmental dyspraxia; rather, it supported the idea of a general praxis function and of additional differentiated practic skills defined by behavioral goals.
Electromyographical Analysis of the Extrinsic Muscles of the Long Finger during Pinch Activities
Authors: Follows Alice M.
Published: December 2014

Pinch activities commonly used by hand therapists were analyzed electromyographically to determine level of activation of the extensor digitorum (ED), flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), and flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) of the long finger. The activities were studied with the wrist positioned in flexion and in extension. Statistical tests indicated that the type of pinch elicits a significantly different amount of participation of the FDS but not of the FDP or ED, which contract similarly for the three pinches studied. The mean relative electrical activity of the FDP and ED was affected by wrist position but that of the FDS was not. Treatment guidelines are suggested.
The Use and Effectiveness of Assistive Devices Possessed by Patients Seen in Home Care
Authors: Bynum Harriett S. , Rogers Joan C.
Published: December 2014

The use and effectiveness of 54 selected assistive devices were studied in 30 recipients of home care services. Of these 54 devices, 82% were used and 69% were used routinely for the intended purpose. Twenty patients had bedside commodes and nine had bathtub benches or shower chairs. Only a few patients had long-handled shoe horns, reachers, raised toilet seats, sock aids, elastic shoelaces, commode armrests, or long-handled scrub sponges. No patient had a rocker knife, even though stroke was the most common medical condition. Device training, done inconsistently, generally took 30 minutes or less, spanned 1 to 2 sessions, occurred within 6 months of impairment or 1 year after onset, was carried out by a home health agency, and was judged adequate by the patient. Family members were as apt as not to be included in the training. No association was discerned between training and usage or timing of training in relation to length of impairment and usage. A substantive amount of human help was needed to complete the tasks involving the device. Device disuse was attributed to functional improvement, misprescription, and ineffectiveness.
Occupational Role Performance and Life Satisfaction in Elderly Persons
Authors: Elliott Marjorie S. , Barris Roann
Published: December 2014

Through occupational roles, individuals structure their time to meet their personal needs and the demands of society. Due to various factors, older adults frequently experience loss of occupational roles, which may decrease the subjective quality of life. The present study used the model of human occupation as a conceptual framework to examine the relationship between the number and meaningfulness of roles performed and life satisfaction in a sample of 112 non-institutionalized elderly persons. The results suggest a positive, significant relationship between life satisfaction and the number of roles performed and the level of involvement in meaningful roles. These findings lend support to the basic premise of occupational therapy, that occupation can maintain and/or restore health.
Occupational Potential in a Population with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Schkade Janette K. , Feibelman Ayleene , Cook Jay D.
Published: December 2014

Twenty-five males, ranging in age from 7 to 23 years, who had Duchenne muscular dystrophy were tested using both standardized and functional tests to assess their potential for occupational activity despite diminishing neuromuscle status. The purpose was to determine possible sensory deficits (specifically visual-spatial organization), strength, endurance, and fatigue in response to sustained upper-extremity fine motor activity over a period of three to four hours. Statistical analysis of the results indicated normal visual-spatial organization skills, no performance decrements, and improved performance on some tests. A series of grip-strength measures did not indicate a statistically significant decreasing linear trend. The conclusion is that, within limitations, persons with this diagnosis can engage in activity leading to skill development and productivity.
Role Conflict in Academic Chairpersons
Authors: Schaffer Robin
Published: December 2014

This study sought to determine whether actual and perceived role conflict existed for chairpersons of departments of occupational therapy and physical therapy in Canadian universities. Review of the literature highlighted the controversy over the existence of such role conflict and the need for empirical analyses of the academic organization. Chairpersons were interviewed, and faculty members and deans were surveyed regarding their expectations for the chairperson's role. Content analysis, descriptive statistics, and nonparametric correlational techniques were the major methods of data analysis. Results are considered on the basis of both statistical and real-life significance. Although role conflict was found to exist, chairpersons did not appear to experience it subjectively to a great degree. Suggestions are offered for future research and for the reduction of role conflict for the academic chairperson.
Vestibular Dysfunction in Preschool Children with a History of Otitis Media
Authors: Denning Jennifer , Mayberry Wanda
Published: December 2014

A study was conducted to investigate vestibular dysfunction in normal preschool children with and without a history of otitis media. Thirty-five preschoolers (age range 4 years, 2 months, to 5 years, 8 months) were assigned to an otitis media (OM) group (children with a history of 6 or more episodes of otitis media) or a no otitis media (NOM) group (children with no known episodes of otitis media), based on information obtained from a parent questionnaire. The Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT) and five tests from the Miller Assessment for Preschoolers (MAP) (Stepping, Vertical Writing, Romberg, Walks Line, and Hand-Nose tests) were administered. Results showed that children with a history of otitis media had significantly decreased percentile rank scores on Stepping (deviation) ( p < .001) and Vertical Writing ( p < .01), which measure vestibulospinal function. No significant difference was found for duration of nystagmus as measured by the SCPNT ( p < .93). Clinical implications and suggestions for further research are discussed.
Alumni Perceptions of Professional and Postprofessional Occupational Therapy Master's Programs
Authors: Brayley Caroline Robinson
Published: December 2014

This study investigated differences in academic characteristics of professional and postprofessional master's degree programs in occupational therapy as perceived by alumni who graduated between 1980 and 1985. The focus was on 10 composite indictors on the Graduate Program Self-Assessment: Master's Level Programs Alumni Questionnaire, Educational Testing Service. Seven of the 10 composite indicators demonstrated statistical differences. The postprofessional alumni perceived their program to be of higher quality in the indicators of environment for learning, scholarly excellence, quality of teaching, faculty concern for students, curriculum, and available resources. The professional master's alumni perceived their fieldwork experiences to be of higher quality than the postprofessional master's degree alumni.
Perceptual and Motor Impairment within 2 Weeks after a Stroke: A Multifactorial Statistical Approach
Authors: Eriksson Sture , Bernspång Birgitta , Fugl-Meyer Axel R.
Published: December 2014

Visual perceptual performance (12 items) and motor behavior were assessed in 109 patients within 2 weeks poststroke and were related to self-care activities of daily living (ADL) proficiency. A cluster analysis revealed that scores for motor behavior and self-care ADL were closely associated whereas visual-perception items could be separated into two groups One of these incorporated relatively meaningless (Low-Order Perception [L-OP]) and the other relatively meaningful (High-Order Perception [H-OP]) stimuli. When the disability parameter, ADL, was excluded factor analyses identified three orthogonal factors—motor behavior, H-OP, and L-OP—which were similar to those of the cluster analysis and explained about 75% of the variance. Standardized factor scores were sizable predictors for self-care ADL-score for motor behavior and H-OP, but not for L-OP. The present findings of grouping of visual perception into two factors are contradictory to espoused categorizations and may shed new light on occupational therapy research, functional diagnosis, and the treatment of stroke patients.
The SCSIT: A Potential Tool for Assessing Neurological Impairment in Adult Psychiatric Outpatients
Authors: Falk-Kessler Janet , Quittman Michael S. , Moore Robert
Published: December 2014

Thirty adults in a psychiatric day hospital were subjects in a study examining the validity of using the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests (SCSIT) to measure neurological functioning in an adult psychiatric population The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, the SCSIT, and the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery were administered to all subjects. Statistical analysis of the data reveals that selected tests from the SCSIT are valid measures of neurological functioning in the adult psychiatric population and suggests that further research on the usefulness of the SCSIT for assessing adult performance is warranted.
Job Satisfaction of Occupational Therapists: Supervisors and Managers versus Direct Service Staff
Authors: Bordieri James E.
Published: December 2014

Overall job satisfaction and the specific work incentives and disincentives that were responsible for job satisfaction or dissatisfaction were surveyed in 489 occupational therapists Job satisfaction was found to be moderately high, and the respondents rated achievement and interpersonal relationships with co-workers as work incentives Opportunity for advancement and working conditions, on the other hand, were seen as job disincentives Ratings on several of the job satisfaction factors differed as a function of the respondent's primary work role (i.e., supervision/management vs. direct service).
Treatment Techniques to Encourage Lip Closure and Decrease Drooling in Persons with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Samelstad Kim M.
Published: December 2014

This study was designed to test the effectiveness of oral sensorimotor techniques in decreasing drooling. A withdrawal A1-B-A2 design was used with two subjects diagnosed as having mental retardation and cerebral palsy. The baseline phase consisted of 20-minute sessions of play, followed by a 45-minute period during which the subjects wore bibs The treatment phase was identical to the baseline phase except that the 20 minutes of play was replaced with 20 minutes of treatment. Treatment techniques included light touch to the midline of the lips, maintained pressure around the lips, stretch pressure, firm strokes applied on both sides of the larynx downward, and popsicle sucking. The amount of saliva collected on an absorbent bib during the 45-minute period that followed the 20 minutes was measured and recorded Although data sessions for one subject were marked by high session-to-session variability, the treatment effectively decreased drooling in both subjects.
Oral Form Discrimination in Normal 5- to 8-Year-Old Children: An Adjunct to an Eating Assessment
Authors: Gisel Erika G. , Schwob Hannah
Published: December 2014

Presented here are two studies on the development of oral stereognostic skills as measured by an oral form discrimination task The first study describes stereognostic skills of children 5, 6, 7, and 8 years old; the second addresses the question of whether oral stereognostic abilities are correlated with oral-motor (chewing) skills (see pp. 211–223 of this issue). A total of 86 children participated in the first study. Fifty pairs of small, standardized plastic forms were administered to each child With vision occluded, the child identified each pair of forms as either “the same” or “different” The number of errors was computed for each age group. A significant age effect ( p < .004) was noted, with younger children (5 and 6 years) having more difficulty in correctly identifying forms of similar size than older children (7 and 8 years). No sex differences were found for any of the stereognostic skills measured A practice effect was seen only in 8-year-old children: They made significantly fewer errors ( p < .033) on the second than on the first half of the test. When 10 pairs of test items were presented a second time, the children were 73% consistent in their responses.

It is concluded that specific aspects of oral stereognostic skills mature in children between 5 and 8 years of age. These measures will form part of an eating assessment that until now has focused only on the oral-motor aspects of eating development.
Mother—Child Interactions and Symbolic Play between Toddlers and Their Adolescent or Mentally Retarded Mothers
Authors: Unger Olivia , Howes Carollee
Published: December 2014

The present study investigated the symbolic play development and mother–child interactions between toddlers and their adolescent or mentally retarded mothers. Eighteen mother–child dyads were observed and videotaped playing with a standard set of toys for 20 minutes in their homes or day-care center three times over a 4-month period. Six mothers were adolescents, 6 mothers were mentally retarded and 6 mothers formed a “not-at-risk” sample drawn from local play groups. The levels of object and symbolic play as well as nonverbal and verbal maternal behaviors were coded for all children. Specific maternal behaviors were found to have different effects on the children's play. Mothers of children who engaged in a greater proportion of symbolic play appeared to become involved in their children's ongoing activities by verbally commenting requesting information, or suggesting a symbolic activity. Differences in maternal behaviors were found between the not-at-risk control group and the mentally retarded and adolescent mothers.
Effect of Activity Level on Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test Scores
Authors: Kramer Lois Arms , Crowe Terry K. , Deitz Jean C.
Published: December 2014

The literature suggests that level of arousal prior to measuring postrotatory nystagmus affects the duration of the nystagmus response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the type of activity engaged in by pre-school-age children prior to administration of the Southern California Postrotary Nystagmus Test (SCPNT) affected their total SCPNT duration scores. The sample consisted of 26 children enrolled in three mental health day treatment programs and 26 children enrolled in two Head Start programs. Each child was tested in two separate sessions. In one session the Peabody Developmental Gross Motor scale was administered prior to the SCPNT; in the other session the Peabody Developmental Fine Motor scale was administered prior to the SCPNT. Under the two conditions total SCPNT duration scores were not significantly different.
Field Test Analysis and Reliability of the Fieldwork Evaluation for the Occupational Therapist
Authors: Cooper Richard G. , Crist Patricia A. Hickerson
Published: December 2014

The American Occupational Therapy Association has adopted the Fieldwork Evaluation for the Occupational Therapist for measuring clinical performance. The Fieldwork Evaluation was designed to measure the performance, judgment, and attitude of occupational therapy students on tasks related to the profession. This article discusses the history of this self-contained instrument and reports on its field test. The nationwide sample comprised 597 students Raters received no training. The data demonstrated that the Fieldwork Evaluation has strong reliability for discriminating students' clinical performance and that the tasks have internal consistency (homogeneity).
Tactile Functions in Learning-Disabled and Normal Children: Reliability and Validity Considerations
Authors: Kinnealey Moya
Published: December 2014

This study compared tactile functions of learning-disabled and normal children as measured by the tactile portions of the Southern California Sensory Integration Tests and the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery, Children's revision, to explore the reliability and validity of the two measures and to determine to what extent they are able to discriminate between normal and learning-disabled children. The subjects were sixty 8-year-old children: 30 normal children and 30 children with learning disabilities. The results showed a significant difference between the tactile scores of learning-disabled and normal children. The internal consistency of both tests was .80. A test-retest reliability coefficient of .86 was obtained for both measures. The construct validity for both measures was good. Furthermore, a discriminant analysis correctly classified 90% of the children. Concurrent validity between the two measures was .73. The study also showed that individual tests of the tactile section of the Southern California tests and of the tactile section of the Luria-Nebraska battery (which was artificially divided into subsections for the purposes of this study) are less reliable than the tests given together.
Impairments of Perceptual and Motor Functions: Their Influence on Self-Care Ability 4 to 6 Years after a Stroke
Authors: Bernspång Birgitta , Viitanen Matti , Eriksson Sture
Published: December 2014

In this study of 75 long-term (4–6 years) survivors of stroke, motor function, perceptual function, and the ability to manage self-care were assessed. In congruence with previous findings for a sample investigated within 2 weeks after a stroke, perceptual functions could be grouped into two distinct and statistically different factors. In terms of the ecological perceptual model, one of the factors reflects low-order perception and the other, high-order perception. Neither motor nor perceptual impairments occurred in more than half the sample. A regression analysis incorporating the motor dimension and the two perceptual dimensions explained 71% of the variance in self-care ability. This analysis showed that 4 to 6 years after a stroke, the influence of impairments in motor function is about as great as that of impairments in perceptual functions.
Reintegration into the Community after Head Injury: The Results of an Ethnographic Study
Authors: Krefting Laura
Published: December 2014

As a result of medical advancements that prolong life and the cultural patterns of Western society, head injury is increasingly a problem for the injured, their families, and medical and social service professionals. This paper reports the findings of an ethnographic study of 21 moderately head-injured persons living in the community and of their social networks. Three fieldwork strategies were used to collect the data: semistructured interviews, participant observation, and documentary review. The data were subjected to thematic and content analysis. A portion of the findings is described in terms of recasting strategies, which are linked to a theoretical concept of loss of self-identity and personhood. The relation of the findings to other research on head injury as well as their relevance to practice and research in occupational therapy are also discussed.
A Comparison of Curriculum Directors, Aspiring Curriculum Directors, and Faculty Members in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Rider Barbara A.
Published: December 2014

There is a shortage of qualified occupational therapy faculty members who are interested in becoming curriculum directors. This study presents the results of a mail survey used to compare the demographic, educational, and career characteristics of three groups involved with occupational therapy education: curriculum directors, faculty members interested in becoming curriculum directors, and faculty members not interested in becoming curriculum directors. Although the results of the survey do not show clear and distinct profiles for each of the three groups, interesting similarities and differences do exist. In general, differences between men and women were greater than differences between groups.
Relationship of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing to Hand Skills of Boys with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Barnes Karin J.
Published: December 2014

The purpose of this study was to obtain data concerning the relationship between a commonly used treatment technique—weight bearing on extended arms—and the reach, grasp, and release skills of 3 boys with spastic cerebral palsy. A multiple-baseline, across-subjects research design was used. With the possible exception of the results for one arm of 1 subject, the results indicated that the technique had a positive relationship with the prehension skills of the 3 boys. Direct and systematic replication is warranted to determine the generalizability of this technique. Although the results of studies of isolated techniques, such as weight bearing on upper extremities, cannot be generalized to total treatment procedures, they do provide tentative support for the use of commonly used techniques and direction for studies of total treatment approaches.
Development of a Multidimensional Index for Assessing Social Support in Rehabilitation
Authors: McColl Mary Ann , Friedland Judith
Published: December 2014

Social support has been shown, in many instances, to moderate health outcomes after stress or strain. On the basis of the buffering hypothesis, which suggests that support acts to modify stress and therefore to diminish its impact on health (Turner, 1983), social support may be an important factor in the adjustment process that follows a major disabling illness or injury. Before social support can be used in rehabilitation, however, measurement tools are needed that explicitly define social support, assess support in a multidimensional way, and measure the unique support issues of persons with disabilities.

This paper discusses the development and preliminary psychometric evaluation of such a measure. The instrument, called the Social Support Inventory for Stroke Survivors (SSISS), was developed specifically for use with stroke patients. With minor modifications, it can also be used with persons who have other disabilities. Research and clinical implications of the SSISS are discussed.

Test–retest reliability of the SSISS over 1 week was established at .91. Internal consistency of the scaled version of the instrument was .85. Test construction procedures contributed to content and face validity, and empirical work supported construct and concurrent validity. Multidimensional scaling revealed an underlying structure that was consistent with the theoretical framework for the test.
Direct Replication: Relationship of Upper Extremity Weight Bearing to Hand Skills of Boys with Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Barnes Karin J.
Published: December 2014

The relationship between weight bearing on extended arms and the prehension development of 3 boys with spastic cerebral palsy was studied. The purpose of this study was to conduct a direct replication of a previous study by the same investigator in which a positive relationship between this treatment and the development of prehension abilities was observed. The results of this study, similar to those of the previous study, indicate a positive relationship between the treatment and prehension improvement for both arms of 2 subjects. The 3rd subject showed improvement in one arm; however, the results pertaining to the other arm were inconclusive. Additional systematic replication is warranted to determine whether this technique can be generalized to other therapists, clients, and settings.
Pediatric Assessments: A Survey of Their Use by Occupational Therapists in Northwestern School Systems
Authors: Crowe Terry K.
Published: December 2014

Occupational therapists employed in school systems in five northwestern states (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington) were surveyed. Of the 338 surveys sent, 293 were returned (86.7% response rate). Results pertaining to three clinical and educational issues are discussed. The issues were (a) Which developmental evaluations are currently used in clinical practice by northwestern occupational therapists working in the school system? (b) Which evaluations do practicing occupational therapists expect students to be familiar with when entering a pediatric Level II fieldwork placement? and (c) Which evaluations do practicing occupational therapists expect students to administer competently when exiting a Level II fieldwork placement? Fourteen developmental evaluations were judged to be most relevant to pediatric practice in northwestern school systems.
A Neo-Piagetian Analysis of Infants' Visual-Motor Abilities
Authors: Reid Denise
Published: December 2014

Visual-motor abilities in infants were investigated within a neo-Piagetian framework of development. Case's (1985) theory of intellectual development provided the conceptual base for this study. The study's objective was to establish whether development in the motor domain proceeds in a stagelike fashion. This aim was addressed by (a) the development of a model that suggested how the structural changes, as specified by Case's theory, might manifest themselves in the subdomain of the use of an object to execute a simple motor response and (b) the measurement of infants' performances on a set of newly constructed tasks designed to assess the sequence of changes in cognitive operations. Forty children, aged 4 to 18 months, were tested. Subjects were classified by age into one of four groups corresponding to the substages of the sensorimotor stage postulated by the theory. The general hypothesis that children's visual-motor abilities would proceed through four substages was supported. The individual pattern of performance across substages yielded a perfect Guttman scale (Guttman, 1950). Analysis of variance indicated no significant deviation from linearity for any group, no sex effects, and no Sex × Age interactions, as predicted. This study suggests that a cognitive developmental approach can provide a more complete understanding of visual-motor abilities in children, because it can explain recurrent cycles in development and, given an appropriate task analysis, predict the skill level of a child at a given age. The implications for future research are also discussed.
Validity of Preschoolers' Self-Drawings as an Index of Human Figure Drawing Performance
Authors: Short-DeGraff Margaret A. , Slansky Lori , Diamond Karen E.
Published: December 2014

Fifteen preschoolers were administered the Goodenough-Harris Draw-a-Person Test (DAPT) (Harris, 1963), Ayres and Reid's (1966) assessment of self-drawings, and the General Information subtest, which is a verbal measure of the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence (WPPSI) (Wechsler, 1967). High correlations were obtained between the man, woman, and man/woman converted scores of the DAPT and the self-drawings that were scored with Ayres and Reid's procedure. These data indicate that Ayres and Reid's self-drawing scoring system may be a useful replacement for the longer DAPT when clinicians want a quick and easy method of assessing a child's figure drawing abilities. Low correlations between all of the figure drawing and WPPSI scores are consistent with other data that indicate that figure drawing ability is more highly correlated with the performance than with the verbal components of IQ tests.
Examining Content Validity through the Use of Content Experts
Authors: Thorn Deborah W. , Deitz Jean C.
Published: December 2014

The most often-used and practical approach to the content validation of occupational therapy assessments involves the use of content experts. Few procedures exist, however, to quantify these judgments. This article briefly reviews the literature on the examination of content validity through the use of expert judgment and describes a method for data collection and analysis with the index of item-objective congruence. This index permits the examination of content validity at the item, subtest, and test levels. Its strengths, as well as concerns regarding its use, are discussed.
How Mothers of Preschool Children with Cerebral Palsy Perceive Occupational and Physical Therapists and Their Influence on Family Life
Authors: Hinojosa Jim
Published: December 2014

Occupational and physical therapists are among the professionals who extensively prescribe home programs for habilitating children with cerebral palsy. This exploratory ethnographic study investigated eight mothers' perceptions of what happens in their family when a preschool child diagnosed with cerebral palsy is receiving occupational and/or physical therapy. Data on each mother's experience with home programs was collected through intensive interviews and observation. Analysis, using a variety of qualitative techniques, led to identification of eight major themes: 1) What Home Programs?; 2) If I Only Had a 25-Hour Day; 3) We Together; 4) What Does Daddy Do?; 5) The Long Shadow; 6) Therapy, Therapy, Therapy; 7) The Third Patient; and 8) The Roller Coaster.
Social Competence of Female Psychiatric Patients: A Study of Sociability, Social Presence, Socialization, Diagnoses, and Age of Onset of Psychosis
Authors: Donohue Mary V. , Labovitz Deborah R. , Miller Rosalie J.
Published: December 2014

This study evaluated levels of social competence of 90 female psychiatric patients as it relates to diagnosis and age of onset of illness. Subjects in three diagnostic categories were studied: non-paranoid schizophrenia, paranoid schizophrenia, and bipolar affective disorder. Measures of discriminant analysis and central tendency indicate that varying scores of sociability, social presence, and socialization are associated with specific diagnoses and ages of onset of psychosis, beyond expected levels of probability. The results of this research encourage examination of diagnosis, age of onset of psychosis, sociability, social presence, and socialization in determining the composition of heterogeneous and homogeneous psychosocial activities treatment groups in occupational therapy. Further studies are recommended to foster understanding of evaluation and treatment of social competence factors.
The Effect of Serial Dependence on Visual Judgment of Single-Case Charts: An Addendum
Authors: Matyas Thomas A. , Greenwood Kenneth M.
Published: December 2014

This study reanalyzed data presented in a previous investigation (Ottenbacher, 1986a) that explored the relationship between graphic characteristics and visual judgments in single-case charts. Specifically, Ottenbacher computed autocorrelation coefficients for five graphs and examined the relationship between serial dependence and rater agreement or disagreement. The method used by Ottenbacher (1986a) was adopted from previous research and involved analyzing data points combined across baseline and treatment phases. The argument is made that this analysis is incorrect and that serial dependence should be computed using only the baseline data. Reanalysis of the data presented by the previous investigation reveals a strong association (.94) between degree of serial dependence and rater disagreement. The concept of serial dependence and its influence on the analysis of single-case graphs is discussed and the appropriate method of computing serial dependence is presented.