A New Tool for Assessment of Professional Skills of Occupational Therapy Students.

The assessment of the acquisition of professional skills is an essential process in occupational therapy students. Until now, there has been no standardized and validated instrument for evaluating these skills in Spanish occupational therapy students. This study reports the development and testing of the psychometric properties of the professional skills in students of occupational therapy during their practical training. METHODS: A new instrument was developed to assess the professional skills of occupational therapy students, called CPTO. A total of 69 occupational therapists participated in evaluating 295 occupational therapy students from the University of Granada, between the 2018 and 2021 academic years. RESULTS: Of a total of 79 items, the factor analysis yielded a final solution of 33 items, which explains 70.22% of the variance with the following three dimensions: (1) self-appraisal and professional responsibility (α = 0.951); (2) communication skills and delivering intervention (α = 0.944); and (3) clinical reasoning for assessing and planning the intervention (α = 0.947). The instrument allows students with low, medium, high and excellent clinical skills to be differentiated according to the cutting points established by the quartiles. CONCLUSION: the instrument has good psychometric properties, and is a useful tool to assess professional competencies in occupational therapy students during their practice placement education.

Effectiveness of a flamenco and sevillanas program to enhance mobility, balance, physical activity, blood pressure, body mass, and quality of life in postmenopausal women living in the community in Spain: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to test the effectiveness of a dance therapy program in improving mobility, balance, physical activity, blood pressure (BP), body mass, and quality of life in postmenopausal women in Spain. METHODS: Fifty-two sedentary postmenopausal women (mean age 69.27 ±â€Š3.85 y) were randomly assigned to receive either dance therapy (n = 27) or self-care treatment advice (n = 25). The intervention group participated in 2 months of dance therapy, three sessions weekly, based on Spanish folk dance (flamenco and sevillanas). The control group was provided a booklet containing physical activity recommendations. Mobility, balance, physical activity, BP, body mass, and quality of life were assessed at baseline and posttreatment in both groups. Statistical analysis was performed using a 2 × 2 analysis of variance (ANOVA). RESULTS: Women in the intervention group showed significant improvements in mobility and balance (timed up-and-go test [P = 0.022], cognitive timed up-and-go [P = 0.029], and one-leg stance test results [P = 0.001]), physical activity (total time index [P = 0.045], energy expenditure [P = 0.007], vigorous physical activity [P = 0.001], leisure activity [P = 0.001], moving [P < 0.001], and activity dimension summary [P = 0.001]), and fitness (overall fitness [P = 0.039], cardiorespiratory fitness [P < 0.001], speed-agility [P = 0.001], and flexibility [P = 0.007]) compared with those in the control group. No differences were observed in BP, body mass, or quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Spanish dance therapy may be effective to improve mobility, balance, and levels of physical activity and fitness in sedentary postmenopausal women.

Efectos de un programa de danzaterapia en la composición corporal y calidad de vida de mujeres mayores españolas con sobrepeso.

Objetivo: este estudio tuvo como objetivo probar la eficacia de un programa de danzaterapia en la composición corporal y calidad de vida en mujeres mayores de 65 años, que no realizan ejercicio físico de forma habitual. Métodos: cincuenta y dos mujeres sedentarias (edad media de 69,27 ± 3,85 años) fueron asignadas al azar para realizar un programa de danzaterapia (n = 27) o formar parte del grupo control (n = 25). El grupo de danza, participó durante ocho semanas en un programa de danza, tres sesiones semanales de 50 minutos cada una, basado en danza popular española (sevillanas) y ballet. Ambos grupos reciben información sobre la importancia de la alimentación y del ejercicio físico al comienzo y mitad del estudio. La circunferencia de la cintura, la presión arterial, el índice de masa corporal y la calidad de vida se evaluaron al inicio y después del tratamiento en ambos grupos. El análisis estadístico se realizó con un 2 × 2 ANOVA.Resultados: las mujeres del grupo de danza mostraron reducción significativa de la circunferencia de la cintura (p = 0,001) en comparación con las del grupo control. Los cambios en el IMC y la calidad de vida, aunque mejoraron en el grupo de danza, no alcanzaron significación estadística. Conclusión: la danzaterapia española es una forma de ejercicio físico eficaz para reducir la grasa visceral y prevenir comorbilidades en mujeres mayores, contribuyendo a cambiar estilos de vida poco saludables.

[Effects of a dance therapy programme on quality of life, sleep and blood pressure in middle-aged women: A randomised controlled trial]. / Efectos de un programa de terapia de baile en la calidad de vida, el sueño y la presión arterial en mujeres de mediana edad: un ensayo controlado aleatorizado.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests that dance therapy may have positive effects in areas such as cardiovascular parameters and sleep. The aim of the present study is to explore whether a dance therapy programme improves sleep and blood pressure in a population of middle-aged pre-hypertensive and hypertensive women. METHODS: A randomised controlled trial was conducted, in which participants were assigned to one of 2 groups: standard care (with usual activities and medication) or dance therapy (in which the participants followed a dance therapy programme, in addition to their medication). The intervention was an 8-week, 3-times-per-week, progressive and specific group dance-training programme. The dance steps were specifically designed to improve balance by shifting the body and relocating the centre of gravity. The main measures obtained were blood pressure, sleep quality and quality of life, measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the European Quality of Life Questionnaire. RESULTS: Sixty-seven pre-hypertensive and hypertensive middle-aged women were randomised to either an intervention group (n=35) or a control group (n=32) after baseline testing. The intervention group reported a significant improvement in blood pressure values (P<.01), as well as in sleep quality (P<.05) and quality of life (P<.001), compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: The dance therapy programme improved blood pressure, sleep and quality of life in pre-hypertensive and hypertensive middle-aged women, and constitutes an interesting basis for larger-scale research.

Importancia de la planeación en la gestión de vivienda social: caso Buenaventura (Colombia) / Importance of planning in social housing management: case Buenaventura (Colombia) / Importância do planejamento na gestão de habitação social: caso Buenaventura (Colômbia)

Resumen Introducción: el crecimiento poblacional y la variedad de actividades económicas concentran a las personas en ciertas regiones. Este hecho exige obras de infraestructura que, en ocasiones, fracasan porque se localizan en la periferia de las ciudades. A esta realidad se enfrentan proyectos de vivienda de interés social, que para el caso de Buenaventura (Colombia), que si bien es cierto están respondiendo para cubrir el déficit cuantitativo de vivienda, no han incorporado aspectos sociales relacionados con el impacto en confort y comodidad de los beneficiarios de estos proyectos. Objetivo: en este artículo se invita a la reflexión del quehacer ocupacional del arquitecto y del ingeniero hacia la gestión de proyectos que demuestren que la articulación de estas disciplinas sensiblemente puede beneficiar la ejecución de las obras, toda vez que se contemple que el proceso de planeación involucra dinámicas flexibles y participativas de manera multi y transdisciplinaria con la comunidad de usuarios. Materiales y métodos: se realizó la revisión técnico-administrativa a tres proyectos entregados en el 2015 por la Dirección Técnica de Vivienda (DTV) de Buenaventura. Resultados: el estudio muestra que, aunque estos proyectos obedecieron a un trabajo de planeación multidisciplinario entre la arquitectura y la ingeniería, no ofrecieron bienestar total a la población beneficiada por cuanto la localización de estos está afectando la economía de los propietarios debido al aumento en tiempos de desplazamiento y en costos ante la búsqueda de soluciones adecuadas y oportunas para la movilidad. Conclusiones: debe mantenerse un trabajo participativo entre profesionales y la comunidad que recibe el proyecto para obtener mayores beneficios.

Abstract Introduction: population growth and the variety of economic activities concentrate people in certain regions. This fact demands infrastructure works that, sometimes, fail because they are in the periphery of the cities. Social housing projects are facing this reality, which in the case of Buenaventura (Colombia), which although they are responding to cover the quantitative housing deficit, have not incorporated social aspects related to the impact on comfort and convenience. of the beneficiaries of these projects. Objective: this article invites reflection on the occupational work of the architect and the engineer towards the management of projects that demonstrate that the articulation of these disciplines can significantly benefit the execution of the works, provided that the planning process is contemplated it involves flexible and participative dynamics in a multi and transdisciplinary way with the community of users. Materials and methods: the technical-administrative review was carried out on three projects delivered in 2015 by the Housing Technical Directorate (DTV) of Buenaventura. Results: the study shows that, although these projects were due to a multidisciplinary planning work between architecture and engineering, they did not offer total welfare to the beneficiary population because the location of these is affecting the owners' economy due to the increase in travel times and costs in the search for adequate and timely solutions for mobility. Conclusions: participatory work should be maintained between professionals and the community that receives the project to obtain greater benefits.

Resumo Introdução: o crescimento populacional e a variedade de atividades econômicas concentram as pessoas em certas regiões. Esse fato exige obras de infraestrutura que, às vezes, falham por serem na periferia das cidades. Os projetos de habitação de interesse social estão enfrentando esta realidade, que no caso de Buenaventura (Colômbia), que embora respondam para cobrir o déficit habitacional quantitativo, não incorporou aspectos sociais relacionados ao impacto no conforto e comodidade dos beneficiários desses projetos. Objetivo: este artigo convida à reflexão sobre o trabalho ocupacional do arquiteto e do engenheiro na gestão de projetos que demonstrem que a articulação dessas disciplinas pode beneficiar significativamente a execução das obras, desde que o processo de planejamento seja contemplado por envolver dinâmicas flexíveis e participativas em de forma multi e transdisciplinar com a comunidade de usuários. Materiais e métodos: a revisão técnico-administrativa foi realizada em três empreendimentos entregues em 2015 pela Diretoria Técnica de Habitação (DTV) de Buenaventura. Resultados: o estudo mostra que, embora esses projetos sejam decorrentes de um trabalho de planejamento multidisciplinar entre arquitetura e engenharia, eles não proporcionam bem-estar total à população beneficiária, pois a localização destes está afetando a economia dos proprietários devido ao aumento dos tempos de deslocamento. e custos na busca de soluções adequadas e oportunas para a mobilidade. Conclusões: o trabalho participativo deve ser mantido entre os profissionais e a comunidade que recebe o projeto para obter maiores benefícios.