Development of an Inexpensive Harnessing System Allowing Independent Gardening for Balance Training for Mobility Impaired Individuals.

Balance is key to independent mobility, and poor balance leads to a risk of falling and subsequent injury that can cause self-restriction of activity for older adults. Balance and mobility can be improved through training programs, but many programs are not intensive or engaging enough to sufficiently improve balance while maintaining adherence. As an alternative to traditional balance training, harnessed gardening sessions were conducted in an urban greenhouse as an example of a community activity through which balance and mobility can be trained and/or maintained.

A Wellness Program for Men With Spinal Cord Injury: Participation and Meaning.

Little is known about how participating in a wellness program influences the well-being of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). The purpose of this study is to explore how men with SCI describe their experiences and meaning of participating in a wellness center program, how they perceived these experiences as influencing their well-being, and how these experiences relate to co-occupations and occupational spin-off concepts. Investigators employed a descriptive qualitative design.

Occupational therapy interventions for adults with rheumatoid arthritis: an appraisal of the evidence.

This article identifies and critically appraises six systematic reviews published from 2007 to 2013 that assessed the efficacy of interventions used by occupational therapists for adults with rheumatoid arthritis. Results suggest there is sufficient evidence to support the use of therapeutic exercise, patient education through joint protection, and splinting for pain, inflammation, and grip strength but insufficient evidence to support the use of Tai Chi. To help guide clinical practice, future studies need to focus on the appropriate levels of intensity and combinations of therapeutic exercise, effective use of splinting, efficacy of specific education programs, and the use of Tai Chi as these relate to important patient outcomes.

The effectiveness of a comprehensive work hardening program as measured by lifting capacity, pain scales, and depression scores.

Objective: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effectiveness of a four-week work rehabilitation program.

Method: Investigators conducted a retrospective chart review of 312 clients participating in the Work Evaluation and Rehabilitation Clinic (WERC) Program from 1994-2000. Only 196 charts were sufficiently complete to be included in the study.