bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chinese Culture and Occupational Therapy
Authors: Jang Yuh 
Published: April 2015

A study of the relationship between Chinese culture and occupational therapy is presented in this paper. Based on a literature review and direct observations and analysis by the author, it was found that Chinese culture and occupational therapy share common thinking on the concept of the use of activity, the concept of balance and harmony, the environmental influences in treatment and evaluation, intrinsic motivation and meaningful existence. The major difference between Chinese culture and occupational therapy is the perception of the role of the sick person. In the Chinese society, the role of the patient is dependent and passive, but occupational therapy believes that the patient should be independent and actively participate in the therapy. The implications of these aspects for clinical practice are also described. This article is reprinted from the Journal of the Occupational Therapy Association of the Republic of China, 1993, Volume 11, pp 95–104, by kind permission of the author and the Journal.
Clinical Reasoning through Story Telling: Examining a Student's Case Story on a Fieldwork Placement
Authors: McKay Elizabeth Anne , Ryan Susan 
Published: April 2015

This article considers narrative (story telling) as the way In which human experience Is made meaningful. Narrative reasoning has been Identified as a means of enabling occupational therapists to explain their practice. A review of the literature Includes the concepts of the professional artist, narrative reasoning, expert and novice practitioners, and experiential learning and reflection. A single case study looked at the use of narrative reasoning by a second year occupational therapy student (novice) on a fieldwork placement and an experienced therapist (expert) who was supervising her. During the routine fieldwork visit of the academic staff member to the student, both novice and expert were asked to tell their story about one particular client with whom they were working. The findings highlighted the fact that the expert and the novice told different narrative stories but that, by asking probing and reflective questions, the student's story could be enhanced to Include more narrative. This study has Implications for the education of students in both university and the fieldwork setting.
Trends in Hand Grip Strength in Some Adult Male Zimbabweans
Authors: Amosun Seyi-Ladele , Moyo Alice , Matara Carmelo 
Published: April 2015

The Department of Occupational Health and Safety at Work, of the Ministry of Labour, Manpower Planning and Social Welfare in Zimbabwe, has consistently reported an appreciable number of occupational injuries involving the hand. In the central hospitals, routine hand assessment includes range of movement, sensory and muscle strength tests, as well as hand grip strength tests. Differences had been observed in the hand grip measurements obtained when compared with norms developed by Kellor et al (1971). The aim of this study was, therefore, to assess the trend in the grip strength of a sample of adult male Zimbabweans. Hand grip strength measures for the right and left hands of 204 male Zimbabweans, aged 18–56 years, were taken using a Jamar® dynamometer. The relationship between these grip strength measures and age, height, weight and body mass index was assessed. Grip strength percentage difference between dominant and nondomlnant hands did not obey the 10% rule, which assumes that the dominant hand can be up to 10% stronger than the nondominant hand. Grip strength was negatively related to age but positively related to body weight and height. The need for additional studies to establish normative data for grip strength measurements for use in the clinical situation is Indicated.
Outcomes of a Rehabilitation Programme for Patients with Chronic Back Pain
Authors: Moran Monica , Strong Jenny 
Published: April 2015

In order to evaluate the effectiveness of a rehabilitation programme for patients with chronic back pain, data on the subjective outcomes of perceived pain intensity (as measured by the Visual Analogue Scale Horizontal) and perceived level of disability (as measured by the Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire), and the objective outcome of functional capacity (as measured by the West Standardised Evaluation), were collected on 51 subjects prior to entry into a back pain rehabilitation programme and at discharge. The results at discharge showed a significant reduction in the perceived level of disability and a significant Increase in the functional capacity. The perceived pain intensity did not change significantly. The discussion focuses on the importance of directing therapeutic interventions towards increasing physical function rather than concentrating on the reduction or elimination of pain.
The Eye of the Beholder: Models in Occupational Therapy
Authors: Kortman Brenton 
Published: April 2015

Over the past decade, there has been an increasing focus in the occupational therapy literature on theory and theoretical frameworks. This paper explores the confusion that surrounds some of the terminology used in this literature. The disparity between different theorists' use of terms such as model, paradigm, frame of reference and approach is highlighted. An analysis of major occupational therapy texts and articles on theoretical frameworks from 1962 to 1992 revealed four types of occupational therapy model. The author suggests that attempts by theorists to define terms have been as much an attempt to describe these models as to clarify terminology. A hierarchy of these models is proposed and the individual's role in interpreting and filtering models is also considered. This article is reprinted from the Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (1994) 41, 115–122, by kind permission of the author and of Blackwell Scientific Pty. Ltd.
Responses of the Occupational Therapy Profession to the Perspective of the Disability Movement, Part 1
Authors: Craddock Judith 
Published: April 2015

Since the 1960s, people with disabilities have been developing their own perspective on what it means to be disabled. At the vanguard of this development was the independent living movement which, with other organisations of disabled people, identified disabled people as a group experiencing a particular oppression, disabled by social processes and handicapped by society's lack of commitment to the creation of enabling environments. Part 1 of this article examines the genesis and development of the disability movement. The ideas and analysis that the disability movement has generated and its critique of the medical model of disability are outlined, and its impact — both ideological and legislative — is reviewed. The changing professional philosophy of occupational therapy is described and the impact on it of changing social values is assessed. Part 2 will review the explicit responses of the occupational therapy profession to the disability movement. The validity of the social model of disability for occupational therapy interventions will be considered and an analysis will be presented of the implications for the profession's philosophy and practice of the adoption of the social model of disability in appropriate areas of practice.
Adapting for Community Care, Part 1
Authors: Adams Jo 
Published: April 2015

This article examines the provision and funding of home adaptations for people with physical disabilities. Part 1 looks at the following components of home adaptations: the implementation of local housing and social legislation; the effect housing tenure has on the ease of obtaining adaptations; and the involvement of a variety of agencies in the adaptation process. The findings are based on questionnaires and informal interviews of local authority housing departments, community occupational therapists and Disabled Facilities Grant applicants. The article concludes that people with disabilities receive an adaptation service which is skewed according to housing tenure and affected by the variation in local interpretation and implementation of social legislation.
Effectiveness of an Occupational Therapy Programme Based on Sensory Integration Theory for Adults with Severe Learning Disabilities
Authors: Soper Gill , Thorley Cathy R 
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this 2-year research project was to seek an effective intervention to address the needs of adults with severe learning disabilities. The authors, funded by the North Thames Regional Health Authority, drew on sensory integrative (SI) theory and practice to carry out this work. This article details the first year of research. A pre-test, post-test two-group experimental design was used. Thirty subjects aged from 23 to 50 years were assigned to an experimental or a control group (that is, 15 subjects in each group). The subjects lived in an institutional setting, were without speech, had minimal attention and concentration and presented with tactile defensiveness and/or aversive response to movement. Members of the experimental group received a weekly SI-based treatment session and members of the control group received weekly sensory stimulation. Sessions varied from a few minutes to one hour and generally lengthened with the subjects' increasing adjustment to the new environment. Three types of checklist were used for assessment at the pre-test and post-test stages. Analysis of data from the 28 subjects who completed the study showed a statistically significant improvement in both groups, a statistically significant greater improvement in the experimental than in the control group in some areas only, and no negative correlation between age and improvement in either group. The research indicates that SI-based treatment can benefit this client group.
Community Care, Occupational Therapists and the Law
Authors: Mandelstam Michael 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists in social services departments increasingly risk having their decisions challenged. This is due to the growing gap between people's needs for community care and available resources, and to a culture of complaint. The work of occupational therapists is bounded by complex community care legislation, an accompanying mass of guidance, judicial review by the law courts and investigations by the local ombudsmen. Various problems flow from the clash between the day-to-day demands made on therapists and legal and administrative rules. Awareness of the law is desirable but is achieved only with difficulty, given uncertainties in the legislation. The Court of Appeal's recent ruling – that the assessment of disabled people's needs cannot be influenced by resources – might increase demands for services but might also provoke local authorities into adopting defensive practices. In any case, legally, the Judgement of professionals such as occupational therapists remains central to decisions about the needs of people with disabilities. The article concludes that legal awareness will assist occupational therapists to achieve a balance between acting legally, carrying out their duty as employees, assisting clients, maintaining standards of professional conduct, staying within resources – and protecting themselves from unpleasant and time-consuming disputes.
The Introduction of a Robotic Aid to Drawing into a School for Physically Handicapped Children: A Case Study
Authors: Smith Jane , Topping Mike 
Published: April 2015

The Handy Artbox is a robotic system designed to enable severely disabled children with little or no hand or arm movement to draw unaided. A prototype system was constructed at Staffordshire University and tested over a one-month period at a special school in Newcastle, Staffordshire. The aim of the study was to evaluate the Handy Artbox prototype being used in a real life situation in order to determine whether or not it could play a positive role in the education of children with special needs. In conjunction with professionals at the school, three children with cerebral palsy were selected as possible candidates to take part in the study. These children were observed in their classroom situations for one week before they were introduced to the Artbox. From the sample of three children, an 11-year-old boy was chosen to take part in the main trial and evaluation study of the robot. A series of educationally interesting worksheets was developed specifically for use on the Artbox; this was based on exercises and worksheets from English and maths books currently being used at the school. The aim of the main trial and evaluation study was to allow the child to use the Artbox alongside his peers during his usual lesson periods, thus giving him the opportunity of completing his school work with the minimum of assistance. This article reports the observations and findings of this initial pilot study.
A Comparison of Leisure-Time Activities between Able-Bodied Children and Children with Physical Disabilities
Authors: Howard Lynne 
Published: April 2015

This article reports on a survey of able-bodied and physically disabled children to investigate their out-of-school activities. It outlines the importance of play and leisure time in the child's development before considering the findings from a questionnaire given to 6–11 year olds. The results mirror those elsewhere in the literature, mostly from the USA, that children with physical disabilities have a less rich play experience than able-bodied children, spending more time in the company of adults, watching television more and generally having less variety in their lives. The significance of the findings for occupational therapy is discussed and areas for future research are suggested.
… The Truth is No Longer Out There
Authors: Creek Jennifer 
Published: April 2015

Western scientific endeavour, for the past 200 years, has been directed towards uncovering the laws that govern the physical universe. Truth has been seen as existing independently of human activity, and all that is required to discover it is to make accurate and objective observations which lead to rational conclusions. The second half of the 20th century has been characterised by an increasing awareness that knowledge can never be truly objective. With this realisation, the pursuit of truth has given way to a greater acceptance of diversity, complexity and uncertainty in a shift of perspective called postmodernism. Occupational therapists have been traditionally concerned with the details of everyday life as lived by ordinary people. The goals of intervention are individual, contextual, discrete and diverse. Practice is based on pragmatism rather than on abstract principles. This article provides an introduction to a complex topic and argues that occupational therapy can best be understood and valued from a postmodernist perspective.
Computer-Assisted Cognitive Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy
Authors: McBain Kenneth , Renton Linda B M 
Published: April 2015

Occupational therapists have been exploring and debating the therapeutic use of computers for over 10 years. Much of the literature on this topic is descriptive in nature. There has, however, been some work done in the area of cognitive rehabilitation. This article reviews the literature in relation to the use of computers in occupational therapy and in computer-assisted cognitive rehabilitation (CACR). The benefits of computers and the human computer interface are explored and the restorative versus the adaptive approaches in cognitive rehabilitation are debated. The role of occupational therapy in CACR is discussed and assistive technology literature is used to expand upon this topic. The topic of the contributions of programmers and clinicians in designing software is raised. Software issues are also raised, such as the properties, limitations and development of software. The conclusions suggest that there have been few studies that have explored the efficacy of CACR and that those that have indicate that there is limited clinical benefit. Some of the limiting factors are the hardware the programs were developed on and the lack of theoretical underpinning for using software in a rehabilitation programme. However, when an adaptive rather than a restorative approach is considered, the use of computers in this area appears more promising.
Moving to Trust Status: The Experiences of Staff of Occupational Therapy Departments
Authors: Lloyd-Smith Walter 
Published: April 2015

There has been much discussion of the NHS and Community Care Act 1990 and the changes it has brought to the delivery of health and social care. The introduction of self-governing trust status for hospitals as part of an internal market for the NHS has played a significant role both in the lives of occupational therapy staff and in the services that they provide. This article describes a qualitative research study into how occupational therapy staff (n=15) from both a trust and a non-trust unit have perceived and experienced these developments. The findings are considered under four key themes: the need to justify and market the role of occupational therapy; how trust status has affected staffs roles and relationships; how staff understood trust status to have affected the departmental identity, and concepts of leadership, power and autonomy; and in what ways trust status has shaped staff attitudes and opinions. The findings highlight the important role played by departmental leadership during moves to trust status and the interest now shown in measures of outcome to demonstrate the effectiveness of interventions. A range of perspectives on trust status is then discussed.
Mental Health and Student Health Professionals: A Literature Review
Authors: Tyrrell Jeanne 
Published: April 2015

This article discusses the mental health problems of students, based on a review of previous research studies. Although a university education is regarded as a privilege, studying for a degree can be a demanding and stressful experience. Many students experience episodes of psychological distress during their college years. Professional degree programmes (such as occupational therapy or medicine) are particularly stressful relative to some other courses, because students face both academic and clinical demands. The prevalence and causes of psychological distress among trainee health professionals are reviewed. Both institutional and individual factors affecting mental health are explored and some issues about student selection are discussed. The final section suggests how the institution and academic staff can address the issue of student mental health in a proactive and constructive manner. There are over 3000 occupational therapy students in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the topic of student mental health should be of interest to academic staff and clinical supervisors.
Rhyme and Reason: The Relationship between Creative Writing and Mental Wellbeing
Authors: Jensen Christine M , Blair Sheena E E 
Published: April 2015

The relationship between creative writing and mental wellbeing is the subject of much debate and is often founded on conjecture and supposition. The aim of this small study was to explore the relationship between creative writing and mental wellbeing, with the cooperation of 14 adults who had all been users of mental health services and were involved in a creative writing group in the community. Qualitative data were collected from an interview (with the group facilitator), observation (of the group over a period of four group sessions) and the nominal group technique (to elicit the beliefs and opinions of the group itself). The findings of the study were two-fold. Firstly, there was a tension between the cathartic expression of thoughts and feelings and the production of quality writings and, secondly, the notion of stigmatisation as a result of being a user of mental health services emerged. This explorative study, carried out in an urban Scottish context, indicated a covert relationship between creative writing as a product (rhyme) and its therapeutic by-products which affect an individual's mental wellbeing (reason).
Problem-Based Learning, Part 3: Making Sense of and Managing Disjunction
Authors: Savin-Baden Maggi 
Published: April 2015

This is the third of three papers which explores the growing influence of problem-based learning (PBL) within professional curricula. Part 1 documented the emergence of PBL in a climate of world-wide change. Part 2 presented the model of Dimensions of Learner Experience and argued that it offers a framework for broadening current understandings of learner experience on diverse PBL programmes. Part 3 discusses the findings of the study, which extend earlier work around the concept of disjunction in learning, and the notion of enabling and disabling forms in relation to three different understandings of learner stance. Disjunction is a concept seen by many as a starting point for learning and, in this study, particular issues appeared to arise from PBL, often in the form of paradoxes, which prompted different forms of disjunction. The study concludes by suggesting that the concept of learner stances offers a framework that challenges current understandings of learner experience on programmes that adopt PBL. It argues that PBL may prompt new forms of transition in relation to students' past, present and future constructions of learning and of themselves as learners.
Occupational Therapy in Community Mental Health, Part 2: Factors Influencing Intervention Choice
Authors: Meeson Beverley 
Published: April 2015

Part 1 of this article examined how frequently various intervention media were chosen by 12 occupational therapists working in community mental health. An emphasis on anxiety management, problem solving and supportive counselling techniques was evident. In part 2, these therapists' rationale for therapy choices is explored. The influence of personal perspective and context, that is, policy, organisation of services, division of labour within the team and resources at their disposal, set the boundaries for the therapists' intervention repertoire. Individual interventions were chosen on the basis of utility and client-centred values. The therapists expressed a preference for instigating activity participation by their clients in their locality and homes rather than doing activities with them in a contrived simulation of daily life. These influences are discussed and the extent to which activity-centred analysis or client-centred problem solving is dominant in this setting is questioned. It is clear that some therapists would see certain elements to be important to enable good practice in this working context. These and further implications for educators and practitioners are explored.
Pain and Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Gilmore Rosemary , Strong Jenny 
Published: April 2015

This study investigated the prevalence of pain and its pattern in multiple sclerosis and examined whether pain as a symptom of multiple sclerosis has an effect upon an individual's quality of life. It also examined the effects of coping strategies on such quality of life. Thirty-seven subjects, all with a definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and with varying experiences of pain, participated in the study. The Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale was administered to all subjects. The McGill Pain Questionnaire and the Coping Strategies Questionnaire were administered to those subjects who experienced pain. Sixty-eight per cent of the subjects in this sample experienced pain associated with multiple sclerosis. A higher intensity of pain and the use of behavioural, catastrophising and praying coping strategies were significantly related to a poorer quality of life.