The relationship between cognition and functional outcomes in rehabilitation: FIMCog vs. MoCA.

Aim: To understand the relationship between scores on two standardized measures of cognition, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the cognitive subscale of the Functional Independence Measure (FIMCog), and whether these scores can predict functional outcomes in rehabilitation.

Methods: Retrospective data analysis was conducted on all inpatients admitted to a general rehabilitation unit within a 6-month period (N = 477). The average age of patients was 74 years.

Life without limbs: Technology to the rescue.

Background: This article reports a rare and inspirational case of a four-limb amputee, the range of integrated technology solutions that enable him to be a productive member of his family and the process and pitfalls of seeking technology solutions.

Case Description And Methods: A complex case of bilateral transhumeral amputation and bilateral transfemoral amputation with residual upper limbs too short to oppose is presented. The multiple 'high-tech' and 'low-tech' devices used on a daily basis to move around his house and community, control his environment, communicate and feed himself without the use of limbs, prostheses or a second person are outlined.

Clock drawing from the occupational therapy adult perceptual screening test: its correlation with demographic and clinical factors in the stroke population.

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to explore the relationships between clock drawing ability following stroke, and key clinical variables including cognition, functional independence, side and type of stroke, educational level and age.

Methods: One hundred and ninety-seven people with stroke were recruited from 12 hospital and rehabilitation facilities. The participants' scores from the Clock Drawing Test in the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test were the dependent variables and were entered into logistic regression with Functional Independence Measure motor scores, side of stroke, Oxfordshire Classification System of Stroke, educational level and age as independent variables.

Factors affecting the number and type of impairments of visual perception and praxis following stroke.

Aim: This study aimed to examine the effect of clinical factors including side of stroke, region of affected cerebral circulation, type of stroke and time since stroke, as well as age on the number and type of impairments of visual perception and praxis in patients following stroke.

Methods: Two hundred and eight participants with stroke were conveniently sampled from 12 hospitals in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Background information was collected and each participant was assessed for impairments of visual perception and praxis using the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test.

Role of occupational therapy after stroke.

Internationally recognized best practice care in the early management and rehabilitation of individuals following stroke includes multidisciplinary assessment and treatment by a coordinated team of health care professionals that includes occupational therapists. Occupational therapists assess the impact of changes in motor function, sensation, coordination, visual perception, and cognition on a person's capacity to manage daily life tasks. Intervention improves participation in meaningful roles, tasks, and activities; remediates deficits; minimizes secondary complications; and provides education and support to the patient and caregivers.

The incidence of visual perceptual impairment in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Primary Objectives: To investigate the incidence of visual perceptual impairments in a sample of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) using the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST), compare incidence rates to a normative sample and explore the relationship between the presence of visual perceptual impairment and the severity of cognitive and functional impairment following TBI.

Research Design: Cohort study using a convenience sample of patients with TBI and a normative sample.

Methods And Procedures: Thirty-one patients with severe TBI and 195 healthy people were compared on the OT-APST and measures of cognition and function.

Construct and ecological validity of the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST).

This paper reports on the construct validity (scale design and convergent validity) and ecological validity of the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST). The performance of 208 participants following stroke on the OT-APST and a reference tool (either the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) or the LOTCA-Geriatric version (LOTCA-G)) was compared. The OT-APST performance of the stroke sample was compared with a healthy normative sample (n = 356).

Criterion validity of the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST).

This paper reports on the criterion validity of the Occupational Therapy Adult Perceptual Screening Test (OT-APST) including concurrent criterion validity and its sensitivity and specificity. The performance of 208 people following stroke on the OT-APST and a reference tool (either the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA) or the LOTCA--Geriatric version (LOTCA-G)) was compared. The OT-APST subscale scores and performance outcome (intact or impaired) on related subscales of the reference tool was analyzed to evaluate the concurrent criterion validity of the OT-APST and its sensitivity and specificity at selected cut-off scores.

Development of a standardized occupational therapy screening tool for visual perception in adults.

Occupational therapy assessment and treatment of visual perceptual impairments are integral to the rehabilitation of clients following stroke and other acquired brain injuries. Occupational therapists need to identify the nature of visual perceptual performance impairments in order to choose rehabilitation intervention strategies appropriate for remediation of specific problems or to compensate for limitations in daily function. This paper describes the variations in visual perception terminology and occupational therapy approaches to visual perceptual assessment.