bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Review of the Amiel-Tison Neurologic Evaluation of the Newborn and Infant
Authors: McCarraher-Wetzel Ann P. , Wetzel Randall C.
Published: April 2012

Because occupational therapists are becoming more involved in infant assessment and intervention, there is a need for objective, prospective, and serially applicable evaluation tools. Amiel-Tison’s Neurologic Evaluation of the Newborn and the Infant provides such a tool for use in the first year of life. This evaluation was developed to detect transient and permanent abnormalities in an infant’s neuromotor development. Its main focus is to examine active and passive muscle tone. The test has interobserver reliability, is reproducible, and can be readily learned by occupational therapists. Although the evaluation is not standardized, it is clinically useful in neonatal units, developmental clinics, and research settings. This evaluation detects transient neuromotor problems in the first year of life that are associated with significant behavioral, neurological, and intellectual deficits when the children reach school age. Using this test, occupational therapists frequently involved with the assessment and management of children can play a crucial role in the first year of life by diagnosing and documenting abnormalities.
Therapeutic Programming for Students with Severe Handicaps
Authors: Campbell Philippa H. , McInerney William F. , Cooper Margaret A.
Published: April 2012

Therapeutic methods that use facilitation and inhibition to alter dysfunctional patterns of movement were implemented in children with multiple handicaps within educational settings. Desired movement patterns such as reach and manipulation skills were performed by students throughout the classroom day and across a variety of contextual uses. Data collected on several students indicated that more normal patterns of movement were attained at more rapid rates where students were provided the opportunity to practice the desired movement more frequently. Successful contextual programming depends on accurate and consistent implementation of therapeutic methods by all individuals who come in contact with a student. The therapist must identify the targeted movement pattern, determine appropriate intervention procedures, and train others to implement the procedures accurately. While such an approach shows promise as a means of developing function movement patterns with severely handicapped children, the increased opportunities to practice appropriate movement enhance the effectiveness of direct therapy but do not necessarily replace required individual intervention.
The Effectiveness of Verbal Versus Activity Groups in Improving Self-Perceptions of Interpersonal Communication Skills
Authors: DeCarlo John J. , Mann William C.
Published: April 2012

This study compares the efficacy of a verbal group with that of an activity group in an occupational therapy clinic during the treatment of interpersonal communication deficits at a psychiatric day treatment center. Outpatients were randomly assigned to the following groups: (a) an experimental group, which received activity therapy (n = 7), (b) an experimental group, which received verbal therapy (n = 6), and (c) a control group, which was involved exclusively in the normal milieu therapy at the center (n = 6). The two experimental groups received one hour of treatment per week for eight weeks. The pretesting and posttesting of interpersonal communication skills were done with the Interpersonal Communication Inventory. The activity group used collages, problem-solving tasks, role-playing sessions, games, and drawing exercises. The verbal group used discussion exclusively. Both the activity and verbal groups were based on whether participants had the following: (a) an adequate self-concept, (b) the ability to be a good listener, (c) the skill of expressing his or her thoughts and ideas clearly, (d) the ability to cope with his or her emotions (particularly with angry feelings) and express them in a constructive way, and (e) a willingness to disclose him- or herself to others freely and truthfully. A significantly higher level of interpersonal communication skills was attained by the activity group. Comparisons between both groups and the control group showed no significant differences.
A Time Study of Staff and Student Activities in a Level II Fieldwork Program
Authors: Burkhardt Barbara Feallock
Published: April 2012

A study was conducted to determine the cost and benefits of the occupational therapy Level II fieldwork program at University of Michigan Hospitals in order to complete annual contractual agreements between academic and clinical education agencies. A tally sheet consisting of 34 tasks was used by all staff members (therapists, assistants, and clerical support personnel) to record time spent daily on the student program (cost). Students recorded independent treatment provided (benefit). The cost and benefit of the program was equated to a full-time equivalent staff position. Results showed the following: the time staff devoted to the student program was equivalent to 1.33 of a full-time employee’s workload and the treatments provided by students were equivalent to 1.35 of an employee’s production. The findings of this study support the accepted assumption that the cost of a clinical program for occupational therapy students is at least balanced by the benefits derived from student production. However, the quality of student efforts may be less than that of staff efforts.
Reconstructive Hand Surgery for Quadriplegic Persons
Authors: Ainsley Juanita , Voorhees Christa , Drake Elaine
Published: April 2012

Reconstructive hand surgery is one approach to restoring lost hand function in quadriplegic patients. This paper describes Craig Hospital’s experience with the two-stage procedure for achieving active grasp and pinch for C7 spinal cord–injured patients. It describes the hand clinic, patient selection and education, the surgery itself, and postsurgical occupational therapy. It also includes follow-up results on all patients treated since the program’s inception.
Independence: The Ultimate Goal of Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord–Injured Persons
Authors: Frieden Lex , Cole Jean A.
Published: April 2012

During the late 1960s and early 1970s, a new concept related to rehabilitation and improvements in quality of life began to emerge and be expressed by people with spinal cord injuries and other disabilities. This concept, independent living, is the foundation of the independent living movement, which has helped to overcome the barriers to a higher quality of life for disabled people. Of the many organizations and programs set up to provide support for disabled people living in the community, the independent living program seems to be comparatively successful at facilitating independence by people with spinal cord injuries. Independent living programs provide the kind of community-based support services necessary to expand the range of living options for disabled people beyond those traditionally available in most communities.

The role of occupational therapists in the independent living stage of the rehabilitation process can be similar in some respects to their role during earlier phases of medical rehabilitation. However, the definition of independence as a “mind process” leads to considerable expansion of the therapist’s role beyond the focus on physical skills, which are usually key priorities during medical rehabilitation. Occupational therapists typically possess knowledge and skills that equip them well for assisting clients in the independent living stage of the rehabilitation process.
Correlates of Life Satisfaction and Depression in Middle-Aged and Elderly Spinal Cord–Injured Persons
Authors: Decker Susan D. , Schulz Richard
Published: April 2012

Advances in health care science allow more people with spinal cord injuries to live to old age. The purpose of this study was to determine those factors that contribute to the well-being of middle-aged and elderly spinal cord–injured people. One hundred spinal cord–injured people, ranging in age from 40 to 73 years, completed an extensive structured interview. In general, respondents reported a degree of well-being on the same measures of satisfaction and depression that was slightly lower than that of similarly aged nondisabled people. Pearson correlations indicated that people experiencing high levels of well-being reported high levels of perceived control, had higher levels of social support, and judged their health status to be good. These people also viewed their disability more favorably, tended to have higher incomes and more education, were employed, and were more religious than those indicating lower levels of well-being. The severity of the spinal cord injury was not correlated highly with subjective well-being, although there was a tendency for those with greater disability to report lower levels of well-being. People who were younger, who incurred their disability at a younger age, and who blamed themselves and felt they could have avoided the injury also tended to report higher levels of well-being.
Occupational Therapy’s Journey: The Implementation, Challenge, and Expectation
Authors: Hightower-Vandamm Mae D.
Published: April 2012

The increased interest in administrative issues reflects the changing climate facing the profession of occupational therapy in the mid-1980s. The effect of the changing medical delivery system on the profession is evidenced through the development of home health organizations (HMOs), diagnostic-related group (DRG) systems, and other federal- and state-regulated systems. To ensure survival, the practice of occupational therapy will become more community based and less dependent on the hospital setting.
Vestibular and Visual Rotational Stimulation as Treatment for Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity
Authors: Arnold L. Eugene , Clark David L. , Sachs Larry A. , Jakim Stephanie , Smithies Chris
Published: April 2012

Previously published studies report an improvement in hyperactivity following exposure to vestibular semicircular canal stimulation under eyes-open, lights-on conditions (conditions that provide visual feedback). To separate the effectiveness of vestibular stimulation from that of visual stimulation, 30 primary school children who met the criteria for having attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity were enrolled in a split-sample Latin square crossover study. The effects of just vestibular stimulation and of just visual stimulation were compared with the effect of combined vestibular and visual stimulation. Behavior ratings showed significant improvement at the end of the last treatment and at follow-up one year later; this is not easily explained by statistical regression, history, or the placebo effect. The most improvement was with solitary vestibular stimulation, which showed large effect sizes; however, differences from the other two conditions failed to reach significance at traditional p levels.
Quantitative Trends in Occupational Therapy Research: Implications for Practice and Education
Authors: Ottenbacher Kenneth , Petersen Paul
Published: April 2012

Articles that appeared in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (vol 27, 1973 and vol 37, 1983) were reviewed and categorized according to the quantitative procedures employed. Data analysis revealed that the proportion of articles reporting no statistical information decreased from 57% in 1973 to 31% in 1983. Conversely, there was a significant increase in articles containing quantitative methods that were categorized as advanced, from 8% (vol 27) to 29% (vol 37). A trend was also revealed toward multiple authorship of articles over the ten-year period. In addition, the senior authors of articles appearing in 1983 were much more likely to possess graduate degrees than were senior authors of articles published in 1973. This paper discusses the implications of the increased use of quantitative procedures in the occupational therapy literature.
Three Frames of Reference in Work-Related Occupational Therapy Programs
Authors: Creighton Cynthia
Published: April 2012

This paper discusses the relationship of a theoretical frame of reference to the implementation of a work-oriented program. Three frames of reference in occupational therapy are reviewed, and work-related theories and approaches available to therapists are categorized under each. Examples of the application of various frames of reference are given through an analysis of work programs described in the occupational therapy literature. We recommend that therapists select and apply frames of reference systematically when developing work programs to facilitate the development of a body of knowledge in this area.
Professional Development: Clinician to Academician
Authors: Mitchell Marlys M.
Published: April 2012

Drawing on literature from other professions, this paper identifies factors that occupational therapists should consider when making the transition from clinician to academician. It describes the following four stages of a professional career: apprentice, colleague, mentor, and sponsor. Five academic stages of faculty development are also presented. In addition, the work life of a faculty member is delineated.
The Use of Community Networks for Chronic Psychiatric Patients
Authors: Mauras-Corsino Edna , Daniewicz Catherine V. , Swan Lucy C.
Published: April 2012

This paper describes a program, the Work Readiness Seminar, designed in collaboration with a community organization, the Altrusa Club, to respond to needs of chronic psychiatric female patients. The five sessions of the program provide the women with information about everyday survival skills and an opportunity to practice these skills. The excellent role models provided by the Altrusa Club members and the programming of life skills “in vivo” are the strengths of the program. This paper also briefly describes three additional programs that evolved from the Work Readiness Seminar. All four programs use community groups as a resource for teaching life skills to chronic psychiatric patients.
Variables That Contribute to Leadership Among Female Occupational Therapists
Authors: Scott Winifred E.
Published: April 2012

This study determined which variables differentiated occupational therapy leaders from nonleaders and identified factors that contributed to leadership. The subjects were 405 occupational therapists 36 to 74 years old. Some (79) were leaders in the field, and others (326) were randomly selected members of The American Occupational Therapy Association who did not occupy leadership roles. Eighty-nine percent of the questionnaires were returned.

Few demographic differences separated the two groups; however, the findings showed that a substantial portion of the leaders shared experiences in childhood, adolescence, and early adulthood that the nonleaders did not share. Leaders viewed themselves as leaders, desired leadership, and saw leadership as an appropriate activity for women. Their view of the female role was less traditional than that of nonleaders. They married much less frequently; those who did marry had fewer children. Most married leaders’ husbands highly supported their wives’ leadership activities.
Eleanor Clarke Slagle Lecture, 1985: A Monistic or a Pluralistic Approach to Professional Identity?
Authors: Mosey Anne Cronin
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists have long been concerned with the process of articulating their identity. This paper describes in detail two approaches to that process: monistic and pluralistic. It demonstrates the advantages of a pluralistic professional identity.
Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia: An Activity-Oriented Approach
Authors: Giles Gordon Muir
Published: April 2012

In recent years, there has been a growing trend away from a dogmatic adherence to any one approach in the treatment of eating disorders. This paper adds the new element of practice in relation to cognitive change. The activity-oriented approach outlined here stresses that patients with anorexia nervosa or bulimia must maintain responsibility for their own food intake throughout treatment. The key role of the occupational therapist in the treatment team is outlined, and suggestions for assessment and management of this type of patient are given.
Pinch and Grasp Strength: Standardization of Terminology and Protocol
Authors: Smith Roger O. , Benge Margie Wadlington
Published: April 2012

We implemented a tridirectional survey to begin the standardization process for grasp and pinch terminology and protocols for testing and to improve the communication between rehabilitation professionals who assess hand strength. We surveyed the literature, occupational therapy clinics across the country, and occupational therapy educational programs. Our results reveal the current use, teachings, and recommendations of pinch and grasp strength measurement. The results confirm that the standardization of grasp and pinch terminology and protocols for testing are vitally needed. Specific recommendations to continue this standardization process are recommended.
A Quality Assurance Method for Community Occupational Therapy
Authors: McColl MaryAnn , Quinn Barbara
Published: April 2012

Fiscal constraints, service withdrawal, and litigation in the health care sector have created an unquestionable need for accountability in health services. Therefore, this paper presents a method of quality assurance for use in community occupational therapy. Detailed attention is given to methodological issues, particularly those related to selecting an approach. A process audit approach was chosen for this study, and the results of its pilot application to a sample of depressed patients are presented and discussed. In addition, preliminary work on reliability and validity of the method are presented. Test-retest and interrater reliabilities were found to be .734 and .728, respectively, and assertions of normative and criterion validity were supported. The results of the audit are presented to illuminate aspects of the method that need further refinement.
Domain Specifications of the Construct Tactile Defensiveness
Authors: Royeen Charlotte Brasic
Published: April 2012

A comprehensive list of descriptors of behaviors associated with tactile defensiveness in elementary schoolchildren was compiled as a preliminary to subsequent psychometric measurement of tactile defensiveness. This, the first phase of scale development, was accomplished in the following manner. The construct tactile defensiveness was defined, and a variety of behaviors related to the domain of the construct were collected. The list of behaviors was submitted to an expert for review. Descriptors of statements a child might make based on the behaviors were generated. Then, the list of descriptors was edited, and the remaining descriptors were rated by a panel of experts according to the degree to which the descriptor was associated with tactile defensiveness. Logical and computer analyses of the descriptors’ ratings were performed. Of the 73 descriptors specified, two were dropped because of cultural bias and 24 were dropped because they were not rated by the experts as being associated with tactile defensiveness. This paper discusses the importance of the remaining list of 47 descriptors for subsequent research and delineates appropriate clinical use of those descriptors.
Wellness and Occupational Therapy
Authors: Johnson Jerry A.
Published: April 2012

This article reviews terms associated with wellness, such as health promotion, illness, disease, and well-being, and describes the evolution of the concept of wellness. It also discusses the implications of concepts associated with wellness as they are relevant for occupational therapists who provide wellness or health promotion services or who employ wellness concepts in more traditional treatment or rehabilitation services.
A Holistic Approach to Specialization
Authors: Slaymaker Jane Hoyt
Published: April 2012

There is a growing concern that extensive specialization in occupational therapy may so fragment the profession that it may be lost in the changes taking place in the delivery and payment of health care services. The early concepts of occupation and purposeful, developmentally appropriate activities are giving way in some settings to the use of highly specialized technologies. This article examines the trend of leaving occupational behaviors and adopting activity of a more technical nature and offers a conceptual model to preserve the traditional holistic approach to the practice of occupational therapy in today’s climate of specialization. The approach is seen as important to the viability of the profession in a modern competitive health care market.
Liberal Arts: The Foundation for Occupational Therapy Education
Authors: Yerxa Elizabeth J. , Sharrott Gerald
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapy lacks a consensus regarding its theory base, technical tools, contribution to society, ethical stance, and relationship to medicine. This study proposes steps to achieve a new consensus and to resolve the crisis focus on entry-level education. The proposed steps include (a) the critical assessment of the educational foundation for practice, (b) the recognition that a liberally educated occupational therapist can serve patients better and meet pressing societal needs, and (c) the pursuit of closer relationships with liberal arts colleges by occupational therapy academic departments. A “new breed” of occupational therapists, that is, therapists who are liberally educated, will be capable of thinking in broad categories and will be open to new ideas and aware of ethical implications; they will be familiar with principles, able to practice from a knowledge base, and prepared to improve the profession’s practice: they will possess the skills to be leaders.
Procedures for Designing an Occupational Therapy Consultation Contract
Authors: Dutton Rebecca
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists have been asked with increasing frequency to function as consultants, yet most of the research on consultation has been published in other fields. Issues that have been investigated include negotiating consultation sponsorship, conducting needs assessments, and evaluating the consultant’s effectiveness. For the purposes of our research the literature was used to generate a list of steps for designing a consultation package. The steps were then used in a six-month pilot contract to assess their usefulness for occupational therapy practice.
The Purdue Pegboard: Norms for 14- to 19-Year-Olds
Authors: Mathiowetz Virgil , Rogers Sandra L. , Dowe-Keval Mary , Donahoe Lori , Rennells Cheryl
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to collect normative data on the Purdue Pegboard, a test of finger dexterity, for individuals aged 14 to 19 years. Three trials were administered to 176 subjects from the seven-county Milwaukee area. Results indicated that females performed better than males on three out of four subtests, suburban subjects scored better than urban subjects on two of four subtests, and scores increased with age. The normative data collected provide a means of comparing a patient’s score with normal individuals of the same sex and age and aid in determining a patient’s need for therapy and in setting appropriate treatment goals.
Theories of Motivation in Occupational Therapy: An Overview
Authors: Sharrott Gerald W. , Cooper-Fraps Cynthia
Published: April 2012

The motivational theories behind five theoretical approaches in occupational therapy that claim to be generic are explained. With the exception of the occupational behavior approach, the motivational perspectives are only implied features of the following other occupational therapy approaches discussed: object relations analysis, action consequence approach, recapitulation of ontogenesis, and developmental facilitation. These motivational explanations are developed and then applied to a case example. Finally, the occupational therapy approaches are analyzed in terms of the viability of their motivational perspectives to determine their adequacy as generic approaches for the profession.
Treating the Patient With Digital Hypersensitivity
Authors: Robinson Sandra M. , McPhee Scott D.
Published: April 2012

Digital hypersensitivity is a functionally disabling condition, which often responds to conservative treatment with structured sequential desensitization. This case study describes the treatment hierarchy as the patient responds with objective improvement at each stage.
Providing Occupational Therapy in an Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Affleck Anne T. , Lieberman Sheri , Polon Jan , Rohrkemper Kerry
Published: April 2012

This paper includes information required for establishing and conducting an occupational therapy program in an intensive care unit. Three common problems in the intensive care unit are immobility and prolonged bed rest, sensory deprivation and stress, and prolonged mechanical ventilation. The resolution of these rehabilitation problems through occupational therapy intervention is addressed.
Psychiatric Consultation-Liaison in the Acute Physical Disabilities Setting
Authors: Watson Linda J.
Published: April 2012

This paper provides an overview of psychiatric consultation-liaison services in a general hospital setting. The patient most frequently referred for consultation-liaison services is the individual experiencing depression secondary to physical illness. The dimensions of occupational therapy intervention with this population is featured, including assessment, intervention strategies, and documentation guidelines useful in the treatment planning.
The Development of a Feeding Harness for an ALS Patient
Authors: Takai Valerie L.
Published: April 2012

In treating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis occupational therapists face an ever-changing disability for which they must select a wide range of assistive devices to maximize function in performance of activities of daily living. This case report emphasizes the significance of the patient’s contribution in the fabrication of equipment. The success of the feeding harness described depended as much on the process of its creation as on the enhanced function it gave the patient. The harness offered the patient a sense of hope and helpfulness in the face of a relentlessly progressive disease.
Cognitive Group: A Treatment Program for Head-Injured Adults
Authors: Lundgren Claude Coopersmith , Persechino Ellen Lipman
Published: April 2012

The need for social interaction is frequently viewed as secondary to that of cognitive remediation in the rehabilitation of the head injured. This paper describes the Cognitive Group as an adjunct to individual occupational therapy treatment, designed specifically for inpatients, at Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation. The theoretical approach of the Cognitive Group is based upon Mosey’s developmental groups (A. C. Mosey, 1970. Three frames of reference for mental health. Thorofare, NJ: Charles B. Slack). The group’s format consists of structured cognitive activities in a controlled social environment. A sample week of group activities is included. We found a general trend of improvement in memory and social interaction skills among the 46 patients who participated in the program.
Recovery Potentials Following CNS Lesions: A Brief Historical Perspective in Relation to Modern Research Data on Neuroplasticity
Authors: Moore Josephine C.
Published: April 2012

This article begins with a brief historical account of our attempts to understand the brain by endlessly mapping out discrete structural and functional territories. These territorial or classical maps are then contrasted with the new metabolic maps, which show brain function and plasticity as it has never been conceptualized or visualized before. The new maps, along with more recent research in such areas as neuroplasticity, synaptogenesis, parallel processing, holistic brain functioning, sexual dimorphism, and individual differences, are giving our profession a solid scientific foundation on which to base many of the rehabilitation techniques used today in pediatrics, geriatrics, psychiatry, and physical disabilities.
Exhaler Class: A Multidisciplinary Program for High Quadriplegic Patients
Authors: DiPasquale Pamela A.
Published: April 2012

The Exhaler Class at Craig Hospital was developed to meet the physical, psychosocial, and educational needs of high quadriplegic patients. The class uses a multidisciplinary approach and includes exercise and educational sessions. To date, a total of 56 patients have participated in the 6-week program, and those surveyed rated the sessions as good both in content and presentation. An average increase in vital capacity of 0.5 L was observed in 20 patients surveyed.
Effects of Ankle-Foot Orthoses on Functional Motor Performance in a Child With Spastic Diplegia
Authors: Taylor Carole L. , Harris Susan R.
Published: April 2012

A pilot case study examining the effects of inhibitive ankle-foot orthoses on functional motor performance in a child with spastic diplegia is presented. Both qualitative and quantitative changes occurred, lending support to the efficacy of inhibitive orthoses in improving motor performance in children with cerebral palsy.
Beliefs, Perspectives, and Activities of Psychosocial Occupational Therapy Educators
Authors: Barris Roann , Kielhofner Gary
Published: April 2012

This article reports on a descriptive survey study designed to provide information on the content of psychosocial occupational therapy courses, the professional beliefs of instructors, and relationships between their beliefs and decisions regarding course content. All currently accredited professional programs were surveyed; the data analysis was based on 64% of these programs. The survey found that despite a prevalent endorsement of occupational behavior theory, teaching practices were eclectic in terms of theoretical and skill emphases. This eclecticism appeared inconsistent with educators’ perceptions that a major problem facing practice in mental health is a lack of a unifying theory to define the direction of occupational therapy practice.
Organized Activity and the Adaptive Status of Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Duellman Marie K. , Barris Roann , Kielhofner Gary
Published: April 2012

This study examined one aspect of the hypothesis that the environment influences the adaptive status of elderly people. Specifically, it looked at the relationship between the amount of organized activities offered in three nursing homes and 44 residents’ perceptions of their roles in the present and future and their future time perspective. No relationship was found between future time perspective and the amount of activity offered; however, positive relationships existed between present and future roles and the amount of activity. The study supports the premise that when activity is available, individuals are likely to form and maintain images of themselves as actively engaging with their environment.
Occupational Therapy in Hospice Home Care: A Student Tutorial
Authors: Folts David , Tigges Kent , Weisman Tina
Published: April 2012

The number of hospices in the United States has grown from 20 in 1978 to 1,500 in 1985. The projected need is for 4,000 to 5,000 new hospices to serve the terminally ill by the end of the century. As the hospice philosophy advocates a holistic approach (i.e., the amelioration of biological pain and physical symptoms, diagnostic honesty, and the maximization of the quality of life), occupational therapy, operating from an occupational behavior perspective, can contribute to maximizing the quality of life for the terminally ill patient. There is an urgent need to train occupational therapists to meet the potential demand inherent in the rapid growth of hospice care.

Because there are at the present time no formal course offerings on the treatment of the terminally ill hospice patient, this paper proposes a tutorial in the form of a five-phase model for an undergraduate independent study in hospice care. Certain principles of the model are illustrated through case studies.
Muscle Activity in the Spinal Cord–Injured During Wheelchair Ambulation
Authors: Harburn Karen L. , Spaulding Sandi J.
Published: April 2012

Right shoulder complex muscles of nondisabled, paraplegic, and quadriplegic subjects were monitored with electromyography (EMG) during standardized wheelchair ambulation. It was shown that wheelchair ambulation required the recruitment of large amounts of available motor units in spinal cord–injured persons. Motor unit recruitments differed for the groups: recruitment was minimal for the nondisabled subjects, moderate for paraplegics, and often maximal for quadriplegics. In addition, large intra- and intergroup variabilities were found in the pattern of muscle recruitment during the standardized wheelchair ambulation movement.

The high variability shown in the muscle recruitment patterns of the normal individuals was unexpected, because the ambulation movement had been standardized as much as possible. The technique used to monitor muscle activity in this study reflects an example of how EMG can be employed to analyze activity during a movement. Using this technique one can objectively determine if assumptions about what is occurring in a muscle group during activity are correct.
Role Conflict in Occupational Therapy Student Parents
Authors: Menks Ferol A. , Tupper Lynne C.
Published: April 2012

Surveys were conducted of occupational therapy curricula and of student parents who had a child or children less than 18 years old living with them. This was done to gather demographic data, to assess students’ level of involvement in student and professional activities, to examine extent and sources of role conflict and potential support systems, and to identify curricular modifications that might be helpful in attracting and retaining these students. Of 5165 occupational therapy students, 8.2% were identified as being parents of children less than 18 years old who were living with them. The curricula survey indicated a generally positive attitude towards these nontraditional students. Both the curricula respondents and student respondents indicated that additional resources in the areas of financial support, child care, support groups, and flexible part-time enrollment were needed. Students’ responses to the 15 role conflict situations revealed many good problem solving skills and adaptations.
Vehicular Transport Safety for the Child With Disabilities
Authors: Shaw Greg
Published: April 2012

This article reviews transport safety for the child with disabilities in vans, school buses, and automobiles. Because very little research has been done in this area, information about safety for children with disabilities has been extrapolated from information based on the nondisabled population. Commercially available car seats and harnesses, most of which are designed for the nondisabled child, can provide a high level of crash protection. Several available restraint systems are recommended.
Evaluating the Visual-Perceptual Skills of Children With Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Menken Christine , Cermak Sharon A. , Fisher Anne
Published: April 2012

The Test of Visual-Perceptual Skills (TVPS) was used to determine if children with cerebral palsy demonstrated problems in visual perception on a motor-free visual perception test. Twenty-four children with cerebral palsy and 24 normal children, all of normal intelligence, were given the TVPS. Results showed that children with cerebral palsy attained significantly lower mean perceptual quotients than did the normal children. The TVPS appears to be a useful tool for the occupational therapist in evaluating visual perception in children with cerebral palsy.
Continuing Education for Health Professionals
Authors: Cook Harold L. , Beery Madeline , Sauter Suzanne V. H. , DeVellis Robert F.
Published: April 2012

Although continuing education in the health professions is an important endeavor, it has been largely neglected in the professional literature. Few studies have been done on (a) conceptual models to guide the design and implementation of continuing education and (b) the use of such models in continuing education. To fill this gap, two such models are described in this article: (a) instructional development and (b) community development. Combining and using these models can lead to more effective continuing education with more enduring effects. Principles to guide the implementation of these models are presented. An arthritis continuing education project based on the instructional and community development models is used to illustrate these principles. This continuing education project focused on occupational and physical therapists in clinical practice.
A Seat for Premature Infants
Authors: Stap Laura J. , Reinhart P. Ann
Published: April 2012

Premature infants may benefit from short periods of supported sitting for position change, to facilitate the development of head control, to help with feeding and respiration, and to decrease intracranial pressure. This paper describes a seat designed for premature infants weighing 900 g to 2,000 g and made from thermoplastic material. The seats have been used with 30 infants with varying medical conditions.
Evaluating the Client With Physical Disabilities for Wheelchair Seating
Authors: Taylor Susan Johnson
Published: April 2012

Positioning through wheelchair seating allows many severely physically disabled individuals to use their motor skills to access technical aids. In the last 10 years, many products relating to wheelchair seating have been developed and are now being used.

This article outlines evaluation and prescription guidelines that lead to the accompanying recommendations for seating. Categories for matching disability type/severity to seating methods are presented.
Unlocking Information Technology
Authors: Hall Marian
Published: April 2012

Computer technology has made vast quantities of information more readily available through accessible data bases. This article discusses the use of information technology and some of the problems that have prevented it from being more widely used. Also included is information on some rehabilitation-related data bases.
A Program for Improving Energy Conservation Behaviors in Adults With Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Furst Gloria Platt , Gerber Lynn H. , Smith Cynthia C. , Fisher Susan , Shulman Barbara
Published: April 2012

This paper presents the design and evaluation of an occupational therapy program developed at the National Institutes of Health for teaching energy conservation and joint protection to adults with rheumatoid arthritis. An existing model for educational diagnosis in health education was used to identify program, behavioral, and educational objectives for the new program. The use of this model resulted in measurable objectives, which were used as outcome measures in the randomized research evaluation of the new program. The dependent variables measured were activity-of-daily-living status, psychosocial adjustment to illness, knowledge, disease activity, pain, and fatigue. None were significantly different after the intervention. The independent variables measured included components of balancing rest and physical activity. After 3 months, a greater percentage of the subjects receiving the workbook-based occupational therapy program than those receiving traditional occupational therapy demonstrated an application of the behaviors the intervention was designed to change.
Effects of Adaptive Seating Devices on the Eating and Drinking of Children With Multiple Handicaps
Authors: Hulme Janet Bower , Shaver Jay , Acher Sandra , Mullette Leslie , Eggert Connie
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore the effects of adaptive seating on oral-motor functioning as it relates to eating and drinking in 11 children with multiple handicaps between the ages of 1 and 4 years. An assessment instrument with a behavioral base was used for the seven direct observations of each child’s motor behavior. During the first and last visit the parent or guardian filled out a pre– and post–equipment questionnaire. Evaluations were conducted every 6 weeks beginning 3 months before and ending 6 months after the receipt of the seating devices. An analysis of variance was used to analyze rating scale score data. A nonparametric sign test was used for the analysis of yes/no data. Other data were analyzed for frequencies and central tendencies. Sitting posture and head alignment during eating and drinking improved significantly. A significant increase in the frequency with which liquid and food was retained in the mouth was noted. A significant number of children progressed from bottle to cup drinking and from eating blended to chopped or cut-up food. The present research extends beyond case study and retrospective study reports to support the efficacy of the use of adaptive seating devices by children with multiple handicaps.
Functional Hand Evaluations: A Review
Authors: McPhee Scott D.
Published: April 2012

Describing hand prehension patterns in the context of functional hand evaluations may not provide the therapist or surgeon with an accurate portrayal of a patient’s capabilities. Although dexterity involves both static and dynamic components of hand usage, most descriptions of prehension patterns study the static phase alone. Hand use is a function of anatomic integrity, mobility, strength, sensation, coordination, age, sex, mental status, disease or trauma, and the condition of other proximal extremity joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist). In this study, various descriptions of hand prehension patterns were reviewed and 11 functional hand evaluations were analyzed. The purpose was to see if the descriptions and the evaluations have common elements. The conclusions are that there are no common elements, that no hand function evaluation is appropriate for all types of patients, and that such evaluations should consist of tasks representative of everyday functional activities.
Using Sensorimotor Integrative Treatment With Mentally Retarded Adults
Authors: Huff Donna M. , Harris Sonia C.
Published: April 2012

Thirty-four mentally retarded, institutionalized adults were subjects in a study of the effects of sensorimotor integrative treatment procedures on sensorimotor development. The 25 subjects in the experimental group received group sensorimotor integrative treatment in addition to regular institutional programming; the 9 subjects in the control group received only the regular institutional programming. The Sensorimotor Performance Analysis was used to test sensorimotor performance of all subjects four times during the 12-month study. Results showed that both the experimental group and the control group made gains in sensorimotor development, with no significant differences between groups. The findings indicate that treatment procedures for improving sensorimotor development of the mentally retarded adult need further examination so that appropriate modalities can be developed. Periodic reassessment of the client following completion of treatment is suggested because of possible delays in improvement of sensorimotor development.
Productivity Analysis
Authors: Logigian Martha K.
Published: April 2012

This paper discusses productivity analysis, a method used in the Department of Rehabilitation Services at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston to measure the efficiency of occupational therapy services. Input and output information forms are displayed for a computerized program of productivity analysis. Input information includes time and non-time (modality) units and scheduled downtime. Output reports contain productivity analyses which allow the manager to monitor the ratio between actual hours worked by therapists and allocated hours per service. The data generated give weekly, monthly, and yearly feedback on performance by service and discipline. The objective information produced by these reports on service and department function contributes to management decisions on resource allocation and equipment requests.
Introducing the Concept of a Corporate Culture to the Hospital Setting
Authors: Miyake Shawn , Trostler Robert J.
Published: April 2012

The hospital industry is undergoing radical changes. To keep pace with the ever increasing demands for improved productivity and performance, hospitals are attempting to operate like businesses. This article examines one hospital’s attempts at establishing a culture focused on excellence in its occupational therapy department. Guidelines are offered for creating positive cultures in other hospital settings.
The Benefits of Group Occupational Therapy for Patients With Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Gauthier Louise , Dalziel Sandra , Gauthier Serge
Published: April 2012

The medical treatment of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease has improved the quality of life and increased survival of patients with Parkinson’s disease. However, as the illness progresses, impairments in daily living activities occur. A clinical trial for a group rehabilitation program was initiated to maintain the functional status of these patients.

The research protocol consisted of a pretreatment evaluation, random assignment to experimental or control groups, and posttreatment evaluations after therapy, at 6 months and at 1 year.

The results showed that the subjects of the treated experimental group maintained their functional status after 1 year, demonstrated a significant decrease of bradykinesia, and perceived a significant improvement in their psychological well-being.

This study confirms the value of an occupational therapy group approach and its benefits to the functional independence, to the improvement of physical and motor symptoms, and to the quality of life of persons with Parkinson’s disease.
Altruism and Task Participation in the Elderly
Authors: Hatter Jan K. , Nelson David L.
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this study was to investigate altruism as a factor in task participation among the elderly. The question was whether elderly persons are more likely to participate in an activity designed to help or benefit others than in an activity with no such altruistic purpose. Four groups of persons living in a home for the aged (N = 130) were invited to participate in a cookie-decorating activity. The invitations for two of the groups stated that the cookies would be a gift for a local preschool, and the invitations for the other two groups did not. Significantly more individuals (n = 25) chose to participate when the product of the activity was to be a gift for preschool children than when no altruism was involved (n = 14). Implications for occupational therapy practice and research are discussed.
The Effects of Tool Scarcity on Group Climate and Affective Meaning Within the Context of a Stenciling Activity
Authors: Steffan Jean A. , Nelson David L.
Published: April 2012

Occupational therapists conducting activity analyses often consider the effects of supplies and tools on group process. This study compared three levels of tool supply within the context of a stenciling activity: high scarcity (one essential tool per three subjects), moderate scarcity (two essential tools per three subjects), and no scarcity (three essential tools per three subjects). Thirty-six female subjects rated the activity using Osgood’s short-form semantic differential and MacKenzie’s Group Climate Questionnaire–Short Form. The data supported the hypothesis of higher group engagement scores in the moderate level of supply than in the high-scarcity or no-scarcity conditions. Though low in all conditions, conflict scores were especially low in the moderate scarcity condition. An unexpected result was found: Subjects experiencing high scarcity had the shortest completion time. No differences between the three supply levels in terms of affective meaning were found. The findings are discussed in terms of the literature of small groups and occupational therapy theory.
Pragmatism as a Foundation for Occupational Therapy Curricula
Authors: Breines Estelle
Published: April 2012

This paper shows that the founders of occupational therapy adhered to the philosophy of pragmatism. A structure for curriculum design based on this philosophy is presented. It is proposed that clarifying our foundational philosophy to students by means of this structure would enhance their synthesis of occupational therapy concepts.