The Effectiveness and Usability of a Rehabilitation Program Using the Nintendo Switch to Promote Healthy Aging in Older People with Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

(1) Background: Healthy aging is the process of developing and maintaining functional capacity and optimizing involvement in order to improve one's quality of life as people age. This study aimed to encourage healthy aging in people with cognitive impairment, as well as a control group, via the use of the Nintendo Switch combined with occupational therapy sessions, aiming to improve gross and fine motor skills, functionality, quality of life, and cognitive status. (2) Methods: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken. The sample was randomized using the OxMar software program Attribution 4.0 International, facilitating the division into a control group (CG), who received conventional occupational therapy sessions, and an experimental group (EG), who received therapy incorporating the Nintendo Switch, in addition to conventional occupational therapy sessions. The intervention period with the Nintendo Switch lasted for 8 weeks. (3) Results: Thirty-two participants were included in the study. Significant differences were found in the vast majority of the variables analyzed, which shows an improvement following the intervention; these improvements were mainly observed in measures of skill and the perception of quality of life. (4) Conclusions: An eight-week intervention with the Nintendo Switch alongside conventional occupational therapy helps to maintain cognitive status and functional independence. Following 8 weeks of intervention with the Nintendo Switch, improvements in gross motor dexterity, fine motor dexterity, and quality of life were observed in older people with cognitive impairment.

Predictors of fall risk in older adults using the G-STRIDE inertial sensor: an observational multicenter case-control study.

BACKGROUND: There are a lot of tools to use for fall assessment, but there is not yet one that predicts the risk of falls in the elderly. This study aims to evaluate the use of the G-STRIDE prototype in the analysis of fall risk, defining the cut-off points to predict the risk of falling and developing a predictive model that allows discriminating between subjects with and without fall risks and those at risk of future falls. METHODS: An observational, multicenter case-control study was conducted with older people coming from two different public hospitals and three different nursing homes. We gathered clinical variables ( Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Standardized Frailty Criteria, Speed 4 m walk, Falls Efficacy Scale-International (FES-I), Time-Up Go Test, and Global Deterioration Scale (GDS)) and measured gait kinematics using an inertial measure unit (IMU). We performed a logistic regression model using a training set of observations (70% of the participants) to predict the probability of falls. RESULTS: A total of 163 participants were included, 86 people with gait and balance disorders or falls and 77 without falls; 67,8% were females, with a mean age of 82,63 ± 6,01 years. G-STRIDE made it possible to measure gait parameters under normal living conditions. There are 46 cut-off values of conventional clinical parameters and those estimated with the G-STRIDE solution. A logistic regression mixed model, with four conventional and 2 kinematic variables allows us to identify people at risk of falls showing good predictive value with AUC of 77,6% (sensitivity 0,773 y specificity 0,780). In addition, we could predict the fallers in the test group (30% observations not in the model) with similar performance to conventional methods. CONCLUSIONS: The G-STRIDE IMU device allows to predict the risk of falls using a mixed model with an accuracy of 0,776 with similar performance to conventional model. This approach allows better precision, low cost and less infrastructures for an early intervention and prevention of future falls.

A database with frailty, functional and inertial gait metrics for the research of fall causes in older adults.

The GSTRIDE database contains information of the health status assessment of 163 elderly adults. We provide socio-demographic data, functional and frailty variables, and the outcomes from tests commonly performed for the evaluation of elder people. The database contains gait parameters estimated from the measurements of an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) placed on the foot of volunteers. These parameters include the total walking distance, the number of strides and multiple spatio-temporal gait parameters, such as stride length, stride time, speed, foot angles and clearance, among others. The main processed database is stored, apart from MS Excel, in CSV format to ensure their usability. The database is complemented with the raw IMU recordings in TXT format, in order to let researchers test other algorithms of gait analysis. We include the Python programming codes as a base to reproduce or modify them. The database stores data to study the frailty-related parameters that distinguish faller and non-faller populations, and analyze the gait-related parameters in the frail subjects, which are essential topics for the elderly.

Influence of Clinical and Sociodemographic Variables on Health-Related Quality of Life in the Adult Population with Long COVID.

Worldwide, about 10 percent of patients affected by long COVID require appropriate follow-up and intervention. The main objective of this study was to analyze the long-term impact of mild long COVID in the adult population, and to determine the effect of clinical and sociodemographic variables on health-related quality of life in those affected. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of a sample of Spanish adult patients with persistent COVID-19 symptoms at least three months after diagnosis. Data collection took place between April and July 2021. The health-related quality of life of the sample was low, with worse results in the physical component summary (PCS) 24.66 (SD = 4.45) compared to the mental component summary (MCS) 45.95 (SD = 8.65). The multi-regression analysis showed significant differences by sex in the dimensions of physical functioning (p = 0.040); bodily pain (p = 0.036); and health transition (p = 0.018). Additionally, a longer time since infection had a significant effect on physical functioning (p = 0.039); general health (p = 0.037); vitality (p = 0.034); and general health transition (p = 0.002). The effect of occupational imbalance was significant for all dimensions. Conclusions: people with long COVID have a reduced quality of life. Sex, time since infection, and occupational imbalance are predictors of a worse quality of life.

Assessing falls in the elderly population using G-STRIDE foot-mounted inertial sensor.

Falls are one of the main concerns in the elderly population due to their high prevalence and associated consequences. Guidelines for the management of the elder with falls are comprised of multidimensional assessments, especially gait and balance. Daily clinical practice needs for timely, effortless, and precise tools to assess gait. This work presents the clinical validation of the G-STRIDE system, a 6-axis inertial measurement unit (IMU) with onboard processing algorithms, that allows the calculation of walking-related metrics correlated with clinical markers of fall risk. A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted with 163 participants (falls and non-falls groups). All volunteers were assessed with clinical scales and conducted a 15-min walking test at a self-selected pace while wearing the G-STRIDE. G-STRIDE is a low-cost solution to facilitate the transfer to society and clinical evaluations. It is open hardware and flexible and, thus, has the advantage of providing runtime data processing. Walking descriptors were derived from the device, and a correlation analysis was conducted between walking and clinical variables. G-STRIDE allowed measuring walking parameters in non-restricted walking conditions (e.g. hallway). Walking parameters statistically discriminate between falls and non-falls groups. We found good/excellent estimation accuracy (ICC = 0.885; [Formula: see text]) for walking speed, showing good/excellent correlation between gait speed and several clinical variables. G-STRIDE can calculate walking-related metrics that allow for discrimination between falls and non-falls groups, which correlates with clinical indicators of fall risk. A preliminary fall-risk assessment based on the walking parameters was found to improve the Timed Up and Go test in the identification of fallers.

La experiencia del diagnóstico y la atención en progenitores de niños diagnosticados con el Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid: Un estudio cualitativo.

OBJETIVO: El Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid (SPMD) es una enfermedad rara, infradiagnosticada y sin cura. El propósito de este estudio fue explorar la experiencia de los progenitores con niños diagnosticados con el Síndrome de Phelan-McDermid, en relación con el proceso de diagnóstico, el tratamiento y la atención médica. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio cualitativo descriptivo. Los participantes fueron reclutados mediante un muestreo intencional no probabilístico. En total, se incluyeron 32 progenitores con hijos con SPMD. Se utilizaron entrevistas en profundidad y notas de campo de los investigadores. Se realizó un análisis temático inductivo. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron cinco temas: "El proceso diagnóstico", se describe el proceso diagnóstico y la forma de comunicarlo a los progenitores; "El tratamiento y sus expectativas" describe las expectativas y esperanzas construidas sobre un futuro tratamiento; "Planificación familiar", describe como los progenitores se enfrentan al consejo genético, para la planificación de tener más hijos tras el diagnóstico de SPMD; "El mundo de la discapacidad", describe la entrada de los progenitores en el entorno de la dependencia y discapacidad tras el diagnóstico; "La economía familiar", muestra las dificultades económicas debido al elevado coste de las terapias y los productos del cuidado diario. INTERPRETACIÓN: Nuestros resultados proporcionan una visión de cómo el diagnóstico y sus consecuencias son experimentados por los progenitores con niños con SPMD. Estos resultados pueden ser utilizados por los profesionales de la salud para ayudar y apoyar a los progenitores.

Experiences surrounding the diagnostic process and care among parents of children diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome: A qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the experience of parents of children diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) with regard to the diagnostic process, treatment, and medical care. METHOD: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Participants were recruited using non-probabilistic purposeful sampling. In total, 32 parents with children with PMS were included. In-depth interviews and researcher field notes were used. An inductive thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: Five themes were identified: (1) the 'diagnostic process' describes the diagnostic process and how it is communicated to the parents; (2) 'treatment and expectations' describes the expectations and hopes placed on future treatment; (3) 'family planning' describes how parents deal with genetic counselling when planning to have more children after a diagnosis of PMS; (4) 'the world of disability' describes the entry of parents into an environment of dependency and disability after the diagnosis; (5) 'family's financial situation' highlights the financial difficulties due to the high cost of therapies and daily care products. INTERPRETATION: Our results provide insight on how a diagnosis of PMS and its consequences are experienced by parents of children with PMS. These results can be used by health professionals to help and support parents.

Emotional Impact and Perception of Support in Nursing Home Residents during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Qualitative Study.

Social isolation measures implemented in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic generated occupational imbalance, discomfort, and mental health impairment in residents. We aimed to analyze the lived experience of elderly nursing home residents during the lockdown and social contact restrictions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Exploratory qualitative study. Information was collected through in-depth interviews and field notes. An inductive thematic analysis was performed and international recommendations for the development of qualitative studies were followed. RESULTS: Twenty-four participants residing in nursing homes were included. Two main themes were identified: (1) emotional impact of the experience of COVID-19 lockdown (subthemes: experience of contradictory feelings; illness and death; importance of routine; feeling busy; and role of religious beliefs); and (2) support as a therapeutic tool (subthemes: family support; peer support; and professional support). CONCLUSION: Social restrictions by COVID-19 caused significant changes in residents' occupations and routines, producing fear, loneliness, and abandonment of desired occupations; however, very important supports were also identified that helped to overcome the lockdown, such as social support, spirituality, and gratitude.

Food Intake Changes and Their Impact on Quality of Life in Spanish Citizens with and without COVID-19 during Lockdown.

The pervasive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is just beginning to be analyzed. To date, only a handful of these studies have investigated the relationship between an individual's quality of life (QoL) and their changes in food intake due to the virus (from the associated symptomatology of diagnosis to the universal impact of lockdown on individual lives, regardless of a person's health status). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to identify changes in food intake resulting from the pandemic and the corresponding impact on QoL in the Spanish population. This study focuses its investigation on the 3-month time period within which lockdown was its most restrictive, March−May 2020. Survey questions ask participants to compare their eating habits, general health status, and QoL during these 3 months to times prior to the pandemic. We conducted an online survey amongst the Spanish population over 18 years old. Three surveys were administered: (1) the adult eating behavior questionnaire (EABQ), (2) EuroQoL-5D-5L, and (3) The determinants lifestyle changes during lockdown period (March to May 2020). A total of 86 participants were included, with a mean age of 34 years. In the analysis of QoL, significant differences were found according to age, sex, and the presence of a COVID-19 diagnosis. Likewise, in the analysis of food intake, significant differences were found by age (greater changes in the 18−29-years-old population) (p< 0.01) and by sex (women p < 0.03), as well as greater changes in those with a diagnosis of COVID-19. Furthermore, both food intake and COVID-19 diagnosis were variables that predicted QoL outcomes. In sum, forced home lockdown can cause changes in food intake, which can predict a lower QoL. It follows that the lockdown situation caused by the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has affected the food intake and overall QoL of the Spanish population.

Effects of Social Isolation Measures Caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic on Occupational Balance, Participation, and Activities' Satisfaction in the Spanish Population.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a lot of social and health chaos. Our main aim in this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on occupational balance in the Spanish population, one year post the beginning of the pandemic compared with the pre-pandemic period. Data were collected among the Spanish population over 18 years of age by the Occupational Balance Questionnaire online survey; questions about satisfaction and performance of activities, and on the modification of routine and habits were asked. A total of 300 participants were included; 55.3% were female, with a mean age of 41.39 years. Significantly greater occupational imbalance was found in 1-year-post-confinement period of pandemic, as well as an increase in the difficulty of performance and a decrease in satisfaction with it. A greater number of the sample had modified their routines (p < 0.01), lost habits (p < 0.01), and did not resume habits (p < 0.01). In the analysis by age groups, differences were found in the variables related to habits and occupational balance. The social restriction measures negatively impacted occupational balance in the Spanish population. There was a decrease in occupational participation, increased difficulty in performance, decreased satisfaction in occupational performance, and modification of habits and routines.

Empathy in occupational therapy students: a cross-sectional study at a Spanish university.

INTRODUCTION: Empathy is an important interpersonal skill and a fundamental component in the professional-patient relationship, being the basis for implementing person-centred practice. In several studies, a decrease in empathy levels throughout training in medicine, nursing or dentistry, among others, has been shown. There are few studies on the occupational therapy branch of healthcare. The aim was to determine the degree of empathy perceived by students of occupational therapy at a Spanish university, as well as to analyse the differences between empathy levels according to the different degree courses and gender. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 221 occupational therapy students from a Spanish university. The Davis Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Profession Student's Spanish version (JSPE-HPS-S) were used as outcome measures. RESULTS: According to the results found, high level of empathy was found on all dimension of the IRI (69.84 (9.80)) and the JSPE-HPS-S (122 (94-140)). Although high levels of empathy among occupational therapy students are observed in all degree courses, no significant differences were found between them. Statistically significant differences and a moderate effect size (r) were found between the variables according to the gender of the participants, with females showing greater empathy in the overall scores of the IRI as well as in the JSPE-HPS-S (p=0.002, r=0.212; p=0.001, r=0.327, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Empathy is an essential competence for the development of quality occupational therapy practice. According to the results and although occupational therapy students showed high levels of empathy, it is important to pay attention to the evolution of empathy and to provide students with learning experiences that prevent its possible decline.

Clinical validation of the Allen's Cognitive Level Screen in acquired brain injury.

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of functional cognition is a central concern in clinical practice. However, there are few standardized or validated tools, and many of them take too long, requiring screening tests. AIMS: To explore the convergent validity of the ACLS-5 with other cognitive screening test and functional independence test in a sample of people with acquired brain injury. Moreover, to examine the prediction of ACLS-5 on functioning and cognitive performance outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional design was applied following the guidelines of the STROBE checklist. A consecutive sample of people with acquired brain injury was recruited from rehabilitation centers. A cognitive screening test and daily living activity tests were implemented, such as ACLS-5, MoCA, Barthel, and FIM+FAM. Data were analyzed using non-parametric methods. In addition, a structural analysis and simple regression models were performed. RESULTS: Eighty patients with chronic acquired brain injury, with a mean age of 52, were recruited. All tests are significantly related to the ACLS-5 score, a moderate effect size for MoCA (ρ = 0.36), and a strong effect size for the other two (ρ > 0.50). CONCLUSIONS: ACLS-5 predicts functional and cognitive performance quickly and effectively, optimizing assessment time and avoiding mental fatigue or physical exhaustion.

Mental Practice and Manipulative Skills Training Among People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Pilot Study.

IMPORTANCE: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that produces both motor and cognitive dysfunctions. Impairments in limb function as a result of MS cause a decline in the performance of activities of daily living (ADLs). OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of mental practice (MP) or MP combined with training in motor manipulation skills (skills training) would improve gross and fine motor skills and treatment satisfaction among people with MS. DESIGN: Pilot study with a duration of 3 mo plus 3-mo follow-up. SETTING: Two MS associations. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with MS of the relapsing-remitting and progressive secondary subtypes, ages 25 to 60 yr. INTERVENTION: The participants were allocated to one of three groups according to their order of inclusion in the study: (1) MP, (2) MP + skills training, or (3) control group. The treatment protocol had a 6-wk duration and a total of 12 sessions. Outcomes and Measures: Blinded evaluators performed three assessments for each patient (pretreatment, posttreatment, and 3-mo follow-up) using the Nine-Hole Peg Test, Box and Block Test, ABILHAND, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). RESULTS: We found no evidence of benefits in self-perceived performance of ADLs with respect to gross and fine motor skills; however, there was an improvement in perceived satisfaction and in the performance of activities, independent of the treatment received. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Perceived ADL performance and satisfaction with performance increases among people with MS when they receive MP, MP + skills training, and conventional rehabilitation treatment. What This Article Adds: Mental practice combined with conventional treatment could contribute to patients perceiving improved performance of ADLs. Self-reported outcome measures, such as the COPM, could provide highly valuable information about occupation performance that may not match the objective evidence.

Volunteering as a Meaningful Occupation in the Process of Recovery From Serious Mental Illness: A Qualitative Study.

IMPORTANCE: Volunteering is an activity that facilitates social welfare, a sense of connection to others, and the construction of links with other people and the community. OBJECTIVE: To describe the experience of a group of people with serious mental illness (SMI) who engaged in community volunteer work. DESIGN: Qualitative, phenomenological study using purposeful sampling and an inductive thematic analysis. SETTING: Several mental health community centers in Madrid and Catalonia, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: People with SMI engaged in community volunteer work. Outcomes and Measures: In-depth interviews were used to collect data. RESULTS: Two themes, with four subthemes each, emerged from the data: (1) engaging in a meaningful occupation enhances the recovery process (subthemes: undergoing positive experiences, performing or resuming a meaningful occupation, living in the present moment, and relating with one's social and family environment) and (2) a process of mutual support (subthemes: in helping others, you help yourself; helping others on the basis of one's first-person experience; recover before you can help others; and role of professionals in volunteering). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Volunteering is perceived as a meaningful occupation. Helping others generates a reciprocal benefit that favors the recovery process and contributes to the establishment of personal and social bonds. What This Article Adds: This study provides a basis for understanding the potential of volunteering to be a meaningful occupation in the recovery process of people with SMI. It can help occupational therapy practitioners develop volunteer-based intervention programs that support the recovery process.

Effects of COVID-19 home confinement on sleep in children: A systematic review.

Our main aim was to examine the evidence of the effects of coronavirus disease confinement on the sleep of children aged 12 years and younger. A systematic review was conducted following the recommendations for Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. MEDLINE, Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, Psychological Information Database, and Web Of Science were systematically searched between the period of January 2020 and March 2021. The quality assessment was analysed with the Newcastle-Ottawa quality assessment scale and the National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for observational cohort and cross-sectional studies. The appraisal tool for cross-sectional studies was applied to cross-sectional studies and each longitudinal study was assessed with the critical appraisal skills programme. Data analysis was carried out through a narrative review. Eight studies were included in the review. Seven studies reported changes in sleep routines and five studies focused on sleep disturbances during confinement. The most important findings were a longer duration of sleep time, an increase in sleep latency, and daytime sleepiness. Whether or not the adverse changes to sleep patterns and bedtime routines seen during the home confinement period have any long-term consequences for children's sleep and daytime functioning remains unknown.

"Your Life Turns Upside Down": A Qualitative Study of the Experiences of Parents with Children Diagnosed with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome.

(1) Background: Parents of children with rare diseases experience great uncertainty and employ different strategies to care for their children and cope with the disease. The purpose of the present study was to describe the perspective of parents with children with Phelan McDermid Syndrome (PMS). (2) Methods: A non-probabilistic purposeful sampling was used to perform this qualitative descriptive study. Thirty-two parents with children with PMS were interviewed. In-depth interviews and research field notes were analyzed using an inductive thematic analysis. (3) Results: Four themes emerged from the data. "Understanding and accepting the disease" described how parents experienced their child's diagnosis and the lack of information. The second theme, called "Living day by day", highlighted the daily difficulties faced when caring for a child with PMS. The third theme, "Expectations versus reality", was based on the parents' expectations of parenthood and the reality they face. Expectations for the future are also included. Finally, "Pain and happiness" describes how parents alternate feelings of distress and suffering but also joy with what they learn from these experiences. (4) Conclusions: Health professionals can use these results to support parents.

The Meaning of Volunteering among People with Severe Mental Disorders: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study.

This study aimed to describe the perspectives of people with severe mental disorders who volunteer regarding the relationship between volunteering and work, from the framework of personal recovery. A qualitative phenomenological study was undertaken. Purposive sampling was conducted on people with severe mental disorders who participated in volunteering. In-depth unstructured and semi-structured interviews were used, during which researchers took handwritten field notes. An inductive thematic analysis was applied. Twenty-three participants with severe mental disorders were included (16 men and 7 women) with a mean age of 47 years. Three themes emerged: (a) the relationship between volunteering and working; (b) thinking about a possible future job; and (c) disclosing a mental health condition. Volunteering is perceived as a substitute to working, although not all participants feel able to work, and they do not always disclose that they suffer from a mental health condition.

The Influence of Self-Perception on Manipulative Dexterity in Adults with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis is a disorder which causes a loss of functionality, affecting the person's ability to perform activities of daily living, such as interpersonal interactions and relationship, dressing, self-care, or bathing, as well as having a negative impact on work and leisure activities. AIMS: This study examined the relationship (correlational or associations/predictive) between self-perceived quality of life and performance of manipulative dexterity. Also, this study sought to measure predictors of dexterity. Study Design. A cross-sectional study from two associations of MS within the Community of Madrid, Spain. Methods and Procedures. A final sample of 30 people with multiple sclerosis. The outcome measures used were the ABILHAND questionnaire, the Purdue Pegboard Test, the Nine Hole Peg Test, and the Box and Block Test. RESULTS: No significant correlations were found between dexterity and self-perception tests; however, correlations were found between perceived dexterity and quality of life (p < 0.001). Scores for the ABILHAND questionnaire, which measures the perception of skills in daily living, predicted up to 60% of the variance in the dexterity tests. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that interventions for improving the manipulative dexterity of people with multiple sclerosis should address the person's perception of improving their manipulative dexterity and the perceived of quality of life, as both factors may influence manipulative dexterity.

Cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Jefferson empathy scale health professions students' version in SpanishOccupational therapy students.

BACKGROUND: In occupational therapy, empathy is a fundamental concept and has a positive impact on health and quality of care outcomes for patients. It is a basic and essential concept that should prevail in the training of occupational therapy students. The aim of this study is to validate and cross-culturally adapt the Jefferson Medical Empathy Scale, version for health professionals (JSE-HPS) in a sample of Spanish university students of occupational therapy. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between 2019 and 2020. A convenience sample was selected, consisting of 221 students from the four courses of the Occupational Therapy degree at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos during the 2019-20 academic year. Each of the participants voluntarily and anonymously completed a sociodemographic data sheet (including age and sex), in addition to the following assessment scales: JSE-HPS and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). RESULTS: A culturally adapted version of the JSE-HPS that guarantees conceptual and grammatical equivalence specific to the study population was obtained. The psychometric analysis of the translated version showed a Cronbach coefficient α of 0.786. The test-retest reliability analysis showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.90 (95% CI = 0.86-0.93, p < 0.0001). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed positive results (χ2 = 269.095, df = 167, p < 0.001, Confirmatory Fit Index [CFI] = 0.90, Root Mean Square Error of Approximation [RMSEA] = 0.04). CONCLUSION: The cultural adaptation and psychometric results suggest that the Spanish version of the JSE-HPS is a valid and reliable way to evaluate the empathic ability of occupational therapy students.

Personality Profile in Focal Hand Dystonia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

It has been suggested that focal hand dystonia (FHD) should be viewed as a neuropsychiatric disorder rather than as a pure movement disorder. We aimed to compare the personality factors that are common to people with FHD and evaluate how personality factors could affect the functionality of the upper limbs and community participation. We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study in which 12 people with FHD were matched with 12 age and gender matched healthy control participants. The Big Five Questionnaire; the Quick Disabilities, Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire; and the Jebsen-Taylor Test of Hand Function were used as assessment measures. Control of emotions was the only variable for which a significant difference was found, with participants with FHD displaying lesser control. Correlations were not observed between different personality profiles, the functionality of the upper limbs and the perceived participation of people with FHD in activities of daily living. People with FHD may present with low emotional stability, but this does not have a negative impact on the functionality of the upper limbs and activities of daily living. These findings have clinical implications to be considered for interventions, as they suggest that personality aspects, such as extraversion, may not predict for better functionality and perceived participation in activities of daily living.