Efficacy of a Forearm Rotation Orthosis for People With a Hemiparetic Arm.

Importance: Insufficient voluntary forearm movements are associated with ineffective and inefficient functional performance among people poststroke. Although evidence supports the application of the occupational therapy task-oriented (OTTO) approach for this population, the training protocol does not explicitly address the role of forearm rotation movements. In addition, a need exists for theoretical support for orthotic interventions for people poststroke.

Beyond research literature: Occupational therapists' perspectives on and uses of "evidence" in everyday practice.

Background: Recent literature in evidence-based practice indicates that evidence is defined differently from practice and research perspectives. However, few published works address therapists' perspectives of the nature and use of evidence in everyday practice.

Purpose: This study describes the definition, types, and use of evidence from the perspective of six school-based occupational therapists.

Contribution of Qualitative Research to Evidence in Practice for People With Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Appraising the best available evidence substantiating and informing occupational therapy practice is a commonly expressed obligation for the profession (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2007). In this article we argue for the full inclusion of qualitative research, on parity with quantitative research, as a source for evidence of relevant and effective occupational therapy practice, review the limitations of quantitative research, and outline the distinctive contributions of qualitative studies to the practice of occupational therapy for people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition, we describe the role of qualitative studies in the fulfillment of the Centennial Vision (AOTA, 2007) and recommend three action steps for the profession.

Content Analysis of Qualitative Research on Children and Youth With Autism, 1993-2011: Considerations for Occupational Therapy Services.

Objective: Through a content analysis of qualitative research published 1993-2011, we sought to determine how qualitative research can inform clinical reasoning among occupational therapy practitioners to support evidence-based, occupation-focused services for children and youth with autism and their families.

Method: A qualitative literature search of journals inside and outside occupational therapy, including international journals, yielded 125 articles. We reviewed 110 articles that met inclusion criteria, 79 of which were coded by four occupational therapists with experience working with families with a child or youth with autism.

Research Pyramid: a new evidence-based practice model for occupational therapy.

In the campaign to implement evidence-based practice, the current single-hierarchy model of levels of evidence fails to incorporate at parity all types of research evidence that are valuable in the practice of occupational therapy. A new model, originally developed by Borgetto et al. (2007) and modified and expanded, is presented.

The use of interactive video client simulation scores to predict clinical performance of occupational therapy students.

Objective: Student academic performance (grades) has traditionally shown a weak correlation with clinical performance (supervisor ratings). A computer-based interactive video client evaluation program was created to determine whether the decision making of occupational therapy students on a client simulation explained variability in fieldwork supervisor ratings not accounted for by grades.

Method: Two student cohorts (N = 43; N = 30) selected evaluation procedures for a client with a cerebrovascular accident from on-screen menus and recorded and interpreted client responses as shown on videodisc.

Weighted wrist cuffs for tremor reduction during eating in adults with static brain lesions.

Objective: This study examined whether weighting the forearm during feeding decreased tremors and increased functional feeding in adults with intention tremor caused by static brain lesions.

Method: Five individuals with various diagnoses, ages 30-81, were videotaped during 8 or 16 meal sessions, alternating treatment and control conditions within each meal. In this single-case design, treatment consisted of application of a weighted fabric wrist cuff and the baseline (control) condition employed an identical cuff with the weights removed.

Factors related to evidence-based practice among U.S. occupational therapy clinicians.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine how U.S. occupational therapists access and use clinically relevant research results.

Representations of race, ethnicity, and social class in case examples in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy.

Objective: This article examines descriptors of race, ethnicity, and social class in case material in 145 articles published in The American Journal of Occupational Therapy from 1975 to 1998.

Method: Ethnicity labels and descriptors of occupation or other indicators of social class in case examples describing adults were collected. Frequencies of these labels and descriptors were compared with the population demographics of the 1990 U.