Early Occupational Therapy Intervention Programme and Coping Strategies and Burden in Caregivers of People with Sub-Acute Stroke: A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Caregivers of people who have suffered a stroke experience a great burden and may use disengagement coping strategies. We studied the influence of an early occupational therapy intervention programme in the process of hospital-to-home discharge after stroke (EOTIPS) in a Spanish cohort that improved patients' quality of life and caregivers' burden and coping strategies. EOTIPS was delivered by a single occupational therapist. We conducted a prospective randomised controlled trial that included 60 adults who suffered a stroke, of which 91.6% had a caregiver who agreed to be involved in their care (n = 55). Evaluations assessed the caregivers' burden and coping strategies within two weeks post-stroke and after a three-month follow-up. Statistical analyses included intent-to-treat analysis (considering dropouts as failures) and efficacy analysis, considering only end-of-treatment participants. The caregivers in the intervention group showed a significantly better evolution in the main outcome measure of burden (p = 0.019), as well as in the coping strategies of social support (p = 0.037) and social withdrawal (p ≤ 0.001), compared with the control group. EOTIPS was effective in improving the caregivers' burden and two coping strategies, and it could be considered as an applicable tool that can minimise the risk of suffering burden.

Early Occupational Therapy Intervention post-stroke (EOTIPS): A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Occupational therapy (OT) is an effective evidence-based intervention that positively influences stroke patients'independence recovery, leading to new opportunities for better quality of life outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To explore the effectiveness of an early OT intervention program (EOTIPS) in the process of hospital to home discharge after stroke in Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial that included 60 adults who suffered a stroke and were discharged home. Participants assigned to the experimental group (n = 30) were included in EOTIPS and compared with a control group (n = 30). Evaluations assessed quality of life (Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale [SAQOL-39]), functional independence (Modified Rankin Scale [mRS], Barthel Index [BI] and Stroke Impact Scale-16 [SIS-16]), perceptual-cognitive skills (Montreal Cognitive Assessment [MoCA]), upper limb function (Fugl Meyer Assessment [FMA]), mobility (Berg Balance Scale [BBS] and Timed Up & Go [TUG]), communication skills (Communicative Activity Log [CAL]) and mood disorders (Beck Depression Inventory-II [BDI-II] and Hamilton Anxiety Scale [HAM-A]); they were completed within two weeks post-stroke and after three months follow-up. Statistical analysis included intent-to-treat analysis, considering all participants (dropouts as failures), and efficacy analysis, considering only end-of-treatment participants. RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group showed a significant better evolution in the main outcome measure of quality of life (SAQOL-39 p = .029), as well as for independence (mRSp = .004), perceptual-cognitive skills (MoCA p = .012)and symptoms of depression (BDI-II p = .011) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: EOTIPS was effective in improving quality of life, as well as enhancing perceptual-cognitive skills, independence and reducing levels of depression for patients who suffered a stroke in a Spanish cohort and could be considered as an applicable non-pharmacologic therapeutic tool that can lead to patients' positive outcomes after stroke. This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov with the identifier NCT04835363.

Exploring the interplay of frailty, physical function, physical activity, nutritional status, and their association with quality of life and depressive symptoms in older adults with the frailty phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the interplay between frailty, physical function, physical activity, nutritional status, and their impact on the quality of life and depressive status in older adults with frailty. METHODS: A cross-sectional study involving 235 pre-frail/frail older adults residing in Spanish communities was conducted. Frailty was assessed using Fried's criteria, physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery, and physical activity levels were measured via wrist-worn accelerometers. Nutritional status was determined using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment alongside anthropometric measurements. Quality of life was gauged using the EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level, while depressive status was assessed using the Yesavage 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale. Multivariate linear regression and logistic regression analyses were employed to elucidate the associations of these factors with quality of life and depression. RESULTS: Our findings revealed significant correlations between various factors and quality of life. Notably, reported fatigue (ß = -0.276, p = 0.002), performance in the 4-m gait test (ß = -0.242, p = 0.001), the score on the short version of the Mini-Nutritional Assessment (ß = 0.312, p = 0.002), and engagement in light physical activity (ß = 0.180, p = 0.023) were all found to be associated with quality of life. In terms of depressive symptoms, the Mini-Nutritional Assessment score emerged as a protective factor (Odds ratio, OR: 0.812, p < 0.001), as did participation in moderate physical activity (OR: 0.988, p = 0.028). Conversely, fatigue (OR: 3.277, p = 0.003) and a slow gait speed (OR: 1.136, p = 0.045) were identified as risk factors for depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the detrimental association of fatigue and slow gait speed on both quality of life and depressive status among older adults with frailty. In contrast, engaging in physical activity and addressing malnutrition risk emerge as critical protective factors for enhancing quality of life and ameliorating depressive symptoms in this population. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: This is a study that uses cross-sectional data from a trial registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05610605).

Occupational therapy in the management of haemophilia patients: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilia is a haematological disease, although most haemorrhages occur in the locomotor system. Patients are physically disabled from an early age and have a poorer perception of quality of life. In the day-to-day lives of patients and their families, psychosocial well-being, the disease's physical, personal, and social impact, as well as work-related problems are the most complicated aspects of the disease that need to be addressed. OBJECTIVE: To identify the role of occupational therapy in managing patients with haemophilia and to analyse the therapeutic potential of occupational therapy in treating these patients. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to identify the role of occupational therapy in managing patients with haemophilia and to analyse the therapeutic potential of occupational therapy in treating these patients. The review was registered in the international registry PROSPERO (Id: CRD42022319637). The databases consulted were SCOPUS, PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Science Direct, including all studies published until 14 August 2023. RESULTS: No single study was found that specifically developed an occupational therapy intervention for patients with haemophilia. Measurement instruments have been identified, specific for patients with haemophilia and generic, that can be useful for the functional evaluation of these patients in the occupational therapy approach. Different studies showed the importance of multidisciplinary treatment, including occupational therapy. CONCLUSIONS: The use of occupational therapy could be effective in improving autonomy and quality of life in haemophilia patients. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to conduct research studies within the field of occupational therapy.

Does Tension Headache Have a Central or Peripheral Origin? Current State of Affairs.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this narrative review is to analyze the evidence about a peripheral or central origin of a tension headache attack in order to provide a further clarification for an appropriate approach. RECENT FINDINGS: Tension headache is a complex and multifactorial pathology, in which both peripheral and central factors could play an important role in the initiation of an attack. Although the exact origin of a tension headache attack has not been conclusively established, correlations have been identified between certain structural parameters of the craniomandibular region and craniocervical muscle activity. Future research should focus on improving our understanding of the pathology with the ultimate goal of improving diagnosis. The pathogenesis of tension-type headache involves both central and peripheral mechanisms, being the perpetuation over time of the headache attacks what would favor the evolution of an episodic tension-type headache to a chronic tension-type headache. The unresolved question is what factors would be involved in the initial activation in a tension headache attack. The evidence that favors a peripheral origin of the tension headache attacks, that is, the initial events occur outside the brain barrier, which suggests the action of vascular and musculoskeletal factors at the beginning of a tension headache attack, factors that would favor the sensitization of the peripheral nervous system as a result of sustained sensory input.

Potential Role of Occupational Therapist Intervention in Elementary School for Children with Additional Support Needs: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: The main activity children engage with is learning through play or formal education. The aim of this systematic review is to analyze the role of occupational therapy in the school setting for children with additional support needs or disabilities. (2) Method: We conducted a systematic review using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CDR42022314271). The search was performed in the following databases: ERIC, Dialnet Plus, PubMed, OTseeker, Cochrane, Scopus, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. (3) Results: In total, 1954 studies were identified, from which 18 articles were selected. These studies were heterogeneous and showed different types of intervention of the occupational therapist in school environments. (4) Conclusions: The main conclusions highlighted the effectiveness of the occupational therapist within the school environment, the importance of an interdisciplinary team to cover the special needs students within the school and the need for intrinsic motivation for an active and inclusive participation of the students with special needs. However, there is a need for more homogeneous studies with a larger sample size that specifically focus on the school context and include the involvement of occupational therapists in order to replicate the findings obtained.

Influence of the Therapeutic Alliance on the Rehabilitation of Stroke: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

The therapeutic alliance is a fundamental component of rehabilitation in order to achieve effective outcomes. However, what develops, maintains or hinders this relationship has not been sufficiently explored. The aim of this systematic review is to recognize the role of the therapeutic alliance in the neurological rehabilitation process. A search for articles was carried out in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL, APA PsycInfo, OTseeker and Dialnet. They were selected according to the eligibility criteria. Internal quality assessment of the articles was measured with the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ). The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (ID 346523). The search in the databases identified 1596 articles, from which 9 different studies were finally included in the systematic review, reflecting the limitations of studies in this field. All studies are qualitative, from the point of view of the patients themselves, their relatives and healthcare professionals. The total sample of the included studies is 182 participants (96 health professionals, 76 users and 10 relatives). Semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and written reflections were mainly used to collect the data. In conclusion, the therapeutic alliance can be an active component in the post-stroke rehabilitation process. Being recognized as a person, collaboration with the therapeutic team, empathy, empowerment, confidence, professional skills, maintenance of hope and the role of the family have been identified as aspects that can have an influence on the therapeutic alliance.

Biomechanical Assessments in Woodwind Musicians: A Systematic Review.

Biomechanical methods are frequently used to provide information about the kinematics and kinetics of posture and movement during musical performance. The aim of this review was to identify and analyze the biomechanical methods performed on woodwind musicians to understand their musculoskeletal demands. A systemic review was carried out following the guidelines of the document Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). It was registered in PROSPERO (code 430304).The databases PubMed, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were consulted between January 2000 and March 2022. The search in the databases identified 1625 articles, and 16 different studies were finally included in the review, with a sample size of 390 participants. Pressure sensors, surface electromyography, infrared thermography, goniometry in two dimensions, and ultrasound topometry in three dimensions were biomechanical methods useful to broaden the knowledge of musculoskeletal demands during musical practice. Piezoresistive pressure sensors were the most widely used method. The great heterogeneity of the studies limited the comparability of the results. The findings raised the need to increase both the quantity and the quality of studies in future research.