Wheelchair Skills Test in simulated versus community settings: a mixed-methods crossover study of experienced motorized mobility scooter users.

Purpose: The Wheelchair Skills Test (WST) is commonly conducted in a simulated setting. Although the WST can be done in the community setting, its usefulness in this setting has not been systematically evaluated. The purpose of this study was to compare the WST in the simulated versus community settings, and to explore participants' perceptions of performing in each environment.

A Standardized Curriculum Improves Trainee Rod Bending Proficiency in Spinal Deformity Surgery. Results of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Educational Study.

Introduction: Surgical simulation is increasingly being accepted as a training platform to promote skill development and a safe surgical technique. Preliminary investigations in spine surgery show that simulation paired with educational intervention can markedly improve trainee performance. This study used a newly developed thoracolumbar fusion rod bending model to assess the effect of a novel educational curriculum and simulator training on surgical trainee rod bending speed and proficiency.

Delayed open treatment of aortic penetration by a thoracic pedicle screw: illustrative case.

Background: Iatrogenic aortic injury from pedicle screw malpositioning or anterior prominence in posterior spinal fusion represents a rare but potentially devasting complication. While intraoperative aortic injury is associated with hemodynamic instability, delayed presentations of pedicle screw aortic impingement or violation often present insidiously with pseudoaneurysm or vascular remodeling in clinically asymptomatic patients. Currently, there is a lack of guidance in the field for the recommended surveillance, urgency of operative intervention, and optimal surgical management of delayed pedicle screw aortic injuries.

Estimating Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring Rates for Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Are Diagnostic or Procedural Codes Accurate?

Background: The utility of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) is well established for some spine surgeries (eg, intramedullary tumor resection, scoliosis deformity correction), but its benefit for most degenerative spine surgery, including anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), remains debated. National datasets provide "big data" approaches to study the impact of IONM on spine surgery outcomes; however, if administrative coding in these datasets misrepresents actual IONM usage, conclusions will be unreliable. The objective of this study was to compare estimated rates (administrative coding) to actual rates (chart review) of IONM for ACDF at our institution and extrapolate findings to estimated rates from 2 national datasets.

Qualitative experiences of new motorised mobility scooter users relevant to their scooter skills: a secondary analysis.

Objective: To explore the experiences of new motorised mobility scooter users from the perspectives of the assessment and training of scooter skills.

Design: Descriptive secondary analysis of qualitative data.

Setting: Community.

From Self-efficacy to Imposter Syndrome: The Intrapersonal Traits of Surgeons.

Background: Demographic differences among surgical trainees regarding intrapersonal traits, such as imposter syndrome and assertiveness, have become widely acknowledged. However, many of these characteristics have not been examined in tandem, nor among both trainees and surgeons in practice. This study aimed to address these knowledge gaps.

"Dirty looks": A critical phenomenology of motorized mobility scooter use.

The use of motorized mobility scooters has become increasingly prevalent. Drawing on the critical-phenomenology and disability-studies literature, this study explored the embodied nature of scooter use among 20 new scooter users. The analysis revealed four themes: 1) Navigating the social environment and being (un)seen presented a paradox of how hypervisibility and invisibility can both exist; 2) Transitioning to scooter use revealed the affective component of becoming a scooter user despite the underlying desire to avoid unwanted attention; 3) Experiencing accessibility challenges en route and at destinations demonstrated that the inconsistency in accessibility along different routes unavoidably makes disability more visible; 4) Strategic and personalized use of devices for mobility illustrated how reliance on other mobility devices (e.

A Multicenter Evaluation of the Feasibility, Patient/Provider Satisfaction, and Value of Virtual Spine Consultation During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, patient/provider satisfaction, and perceived value of telehealth spine consultation after rapid conversion from traditional in-office visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Data were obtained for patients undergoing telehealth visits with spine surgeons in the first 3 weeks after government restriction of elective surgical care at 4 sites (March 23, 2020, to April 17, 2020). Demographic factors, technique-specific elements of the telehealth experience, provider confidence in diagnostic and therapeutic assessment, patient/surgeon satisfaction, and perceived value were collected.

C1 and C2 Fractures Above a Previous Fusion Treated with Internal Fixation without Fusion: A Case Report.

Case: A 71-year-old woman sustained C1 lateral mass and type 2 odontoid fractures 3 years after C2-T2 anterior-posterior fusion. She was treated with C1-C4 instrumentation without fusion for 9 months followed by instrumentation removal to restore atlantoaxial motion. After instrumentation removal, she maintained clinically relevant cervical lateral bending, rotation, and flexion and extension.

Correlates of self-reported Wheelchair Skills Test Questionnaire scores of new users of mobility scooters: a cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To describe the subjective reported scooter-skill scores of new mobility scooter users and to identify significant correlations with other characteristics and measures.

Materials And Methods: This was a single-centre study using a cross-sectional design. Participants ( = 22) completed the Wheelchair Skills Test-Questionnaire (WST-Q) Version 4.

Feasibility of a Systematic, Comprehensive, One-to-One Training (SCOOT) program for new scooter users: study protocol for a randomized control trial.

Background: Mobility scooters can facilitate community participation among individuals with mobility limitations. However, accidents are a serious concern with scooter use. Scooter training has been recommended to improve safety, but there are currently few validated programs available.

Potential of Snoezelen room multisensory stimulation to improve balance in individuals with dementia: a feasibility randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate the influence of multisensory stimulations in a Snoezelen room on the balance of individuals with dementia.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Canadian long-term care home.

Nutrition and food skills education for adults with developmental disabilities.

Purpose: Individuals with developmental disabilities have poor eating habits and are at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, obesity, and osteoporosis. Needs and preferences for a nutrition education and foods skills program were explored in adults with developmental disabilities, agency managers, and support workers.

Methods: Twenty-eight adults with mild to moderate developmental disabilities participated in individual interviews; seven managers and 21 support workers took part in three focus group discussions.

End-of-life care: supporting independent and healthy lives.

According to Department of Health figures published in 2008, between 56% and 74% of people would prefer to be cared for and to die at home although at present only 18% of deaths occur in the home, and 17% take place in care homes. According to The Hospital Guide, published by Dr Foster Intelligence in 2009, one in seven hospitals do not provide any facilities to support relatives and carers who wish to stay in hospital with a patient during their final days.

Dementia and occupation: a review of the literature.

Background: Recent evidence supports the usefulness of occupational therapy models, particularly the Occupational Performance Process, in structuring research evidence to inform practice.

Purpose: In this paper we report the results of our work to identify and summarize quantitative and qualitative research evidence about occupational therapy intervention for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and their caregiver, relevant to the first stage of the Occupational Performance Process, which is to identify, validate and prioritize occupational performance issues.

Results: Review of literature from diverse sources deemed to be relevant was summarized under three themes: the experience of occupation among persons with dementia, the experience of occupation among caregivers of persons with dementia, and discussion of occupational performance issues.

Falls and fear of falling among community-dwelling seniors: the dynamic tension between exercising precaution and striving for independence.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the everyday experience of community-dwelling elders, with particular attention to seniors' perceptions of safety, fear of falling, independence, and quality of life. We also aimed to identify contextual factors that influence the health of elders who had fallen and/or had a fear of falling. Data from in-depth interviews with a purposeful sample (n = 9) of elders were analysed using interpretative analysis procedures.

An occupational therapy perspective on falls prevention among community-dwelling older adults.

Background: Prevention of falls among community-dwelling older adults is an important area of research because of the serious consequences that can result from falls for this population. The risk factors associated with falls tend to be categorized into two groups: intrinsic, or personal factors, such as fear of falling, age, gender, and extrinsic, or environmental factors, such as lighting or slippery surfaces.

Method: The current falls prevention literature was reviewed using an occupational therapy perspective.

Reliability and validity of the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS--short form) and the Adolescent Leisure Interest Profile (ALIP).

This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of the Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS short form) and the Adolescent Leisure Interest Profile (ALIP). The LSS and the ALIP are instruments that occupational therapists can use to evaluate the leisure activities that clients enjoy. Evaluation of leisure interest and participation will assist in creating goals for therapy to maximize a client's ability to participate in leisure activities.