Adapting the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite for Telehealth Administration Using Videoconference Delivery: Methodological Considerations and Interrater Reliability.

Objective: To describe the adaptations made and to examine interrater reliability and feasibility of administering a telehealth version of the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (tele-MSFC).

Design: The Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC) is a commonly used, in-person clinical outcome assessment. It is composed of the timed 25-Foot Walk Test (T25FWT), Nine-Hole Peg Test (NHPT), and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

Effects of Real-Time Pressure Map Feedback on Confidence in Pressure Management in Wheelchair Users With Spinal Cord Injury: Pilot Intervention Study.

Background: Wheelchair users with a spinal cord injury (SCI) are at a high risk for developing pressure injuries (PIs). Performing weight shifts is a primary method of pressure management for PI prevention; however, individuals with SCI may lack confidence in their abilities to perform adequate pressure relief due to their lack of sensation. Real-time seat interface pressure mapping feedback may provide partial substitution for sensory feedback such that an individual's confidence is improved.

Modernising grip dynamometry: Inter-instrument reliability between GripAble and Jamar.

Introduction: Maximum grip strength (MGS) is a reliable biomarker of overall health and physiological well-being. Therefore, an accurate and reliable measurement device is vital for ensuring the validity of the MGS assessment. This paper presents GripAble, a mobile hand grip device for the assessment of MGS.

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.

Reliability and validity of a novel instrument for the quantification of hand forces during a jar opening task.

Study Design: Clinical Measurement INTRODUCTION: Jar opening is a task that relies heavily on the ability to generate adequate hand forces and is often reported in the literature as being difficult for women with hand arthritis. Many have studied relationships between diminished grip/pinch strength and occupational performance but few have investigated how much hand force is necessary to successfully engage in manual tasks. Those who studied this have relied on approaches and tools which lack ecology.

REFRESH protocol: a non-inferiority randomised clinical trial comparing internet and teleconference to in-person 'Managing Fatigue' interventions on the impact of fatigue among persons with multiple sclerosis.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system. It is considered a major cause of non-traumatic disability in young adults. One of the most common and disabling symptoms of MS is fatigue.

Development, construct validity, and reproducibility of a mimetic sealed jar measuring the dynamics of opening.

Measurement of the dynamic kinetics involved in opening a jar may enable health care professionals to understand and train individuals in optimal hand/grip mechanics. This technical note details the design, validity, and reproducibility testing of a mimetic jar capable of measuring the forces and moments and isolated digital forces applied to the lid of the jar. An ecological jar instrument was designed with a torque limiter to provide a natural opening mechanism while a six-axis load cell and force sensing resistors recorded the way individuals applied force to the jar and lid during opening of a sealed container.

Musculoskeletal pain symptoms among allied health professions' students: Prevalence rates and associated factors.

Background: Very few articles, comprehensively, investigated musculoskeletal pain symptoms (MPS) among wide variety of allied health professions (AHP) students.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of MPS and their associated factors among different AHP majors' students.

Method: A cross-sectional design was conducted.

Effects of a One-to-One Fatigue Management Course for People With Chronic Conditions and Fatigue.

Objective: We assessed the impact of a one-to-one fatigue management course on participants' fatigue, self-efficacy, quality of life, and energy conservation behaviors.

Method: This observational study used a one-group, pretest-posttest, follow-up design. Forty-nine people with chronic conditions and fatigue participated in the one-to-one fatigue management course in outpatient and community-based settings.

Evaluation of Hand Forces During a Joint-Protection Strategy for Women With Hand Osteoarthritis.

Objective: We evaluated whether a joint-protection strategy changes the mechanics of opening a sealed jar.

Method: Thirty-one adult women with hand osteoarthritis attempted to open a "sealed" jar instrument when using and not using nonskid material. Grip force, torque, success, and pain were recorded for each trial.

Efficacy of Occupational Therapy Task-oriented Approach in Upper Extremity Post-stroke Rehabilitation.

There is a need for more effective rehabilitation methods for individuals post-stroke. Occupational Therapy Task-Oriented (TO) approach has not been evaluated in a randomized clinical trial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate functional and impairment efficacies of TO approach on the more-affected Upper Extremity (UE) of persons post-stroke.

Comparison of a gross anatomy laboratory to online anatomy software for teaching anatomy.

This study was designed to assess the grades, self-perceived learning, and satisfaction between occupational therapy students who used a gross anatomy laboratory versus online anatomy software (AnatomyTV) as tools to learn anatomy at a large public university and a satellite campus in the mid-western United States. The goal was to determine if equivalent learning outcomes could be achieved regardless of learning tool used. In addition, it was important to determine why students chose the gross anatomy laboratory over online AnatomyTV.

Systematic review of occupational therapy-related interventions for people with multiple sclerosis: part 2. Impairment.

This article is the second part of a systematic review of studies on occupational therapy-related intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this systematic review was to critically appraise and synthesize the applicable findings to address the following focused question: What is the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice for people with multiple sclerosis? Part 1 (Yu & Mathiowetz, 2014) reviewed evidence for the effectiveness of activity- and participation-based interventions for people with MS. In contrast to the top-down approach, enabling occupational performance can be achieved through remediating impaired personal abilities.

Systematic review of occupational therapy-related interventions for people with multiple sclerosis: part 1. Activity and participation.

This article is the first part of a systematic review of studies on occupational therapy-related intervention for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). The objective of this systematic review was to critically appraise and synthesize the applicable findings to address the following focused question: What is the evidence for the effectiveness of interventions within the scope of occupational therapy practice for people with multiple sclerosis? This article focuses on occupational therapy interventions aimed at activity and participation, including programs (e.g.

Comparing individualized rehabilitation to a group wellness intervention for persons with multiple sclerosis.

Purpose: Compare the efficacy of two interventions designed to promote health and physical activity (PA).

Design: This study was a randomized clinical trial using a time series design. Subjects were randomized into individualized physical rehabilitation (IPR) and group wellness intervention (GWI).

Multiple sclerosis: impact of physical activity on psychosocial constructs.

Objectives: To determine the impact of physical activity (PA) interventions and experience with PA on psychosocial constructs.

Methods: PA, self-efficacy, self-identity, social support, and expected PA frequency were measured pre and post intervention in 39 persons with multiple sclerosis.

Results: The MANOVA analysis indicated that self-efficacy and expectation decreased, whereas self-identity and PA improved (P<0.

One-year follow-up to a randomized controlled trial of an energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis.

In this randomized controlled trial, 169 persons with multiple sclerosis were randomly assigned to an immediate intervention group or a delayed control group using a crossover design. The outcome measures (Fatigue Impact Scale and SF-36 Health Survey) were measured four times before and after courses. This study investigated whether the immediate benefits of a 6-week, community-based, energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis were maintained at 1-year follow-up.

Use and perceived effectiveness of energy conservation strategies for managing multiple sclerosis fatigue.

Objective: This study describes the use and perceived effectiveness of energy conservation strategies by persons with multiple sclerosis after participation in an energy conservation course.

Method: One hundred twenty-three participants completed a survey about their use of energy conservation strategies.

Results: All strategies were newly used by at least 50% of the participants and rated as effective.

Average grip strength: a meta-analysis of data obtained with a Jamar dynamometer from individuals 75 years or more of age.

Background And Purpose: Although strength diminishes with age, average values for grip strength have not been available heretofore for discrete strata after 75 years. The purpose of this meta-analysis was to provide average values for the left and right hands of men and women 75-79, 80-84, 85-89, and 90-99 years.

Methods: Contributing to the analysis were 7 studies and 739 subjects with whom the Jamar dynamometer and standard procedures were employed.

Reliability and validity of the Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment for persons with multiple sclerosis.

The purpose of the study was to determine the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies Assessment (SEPECSA) for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS). The current study was part of a larger study (Mathiowetz et al., in review) to determine the effects of the Packer et al.

Randomized controlled trial of an energy conservation course for persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To assess the short-term efficacy and effectiveness of a six-week energy conservation course on fatigue impact, quality of life and self-efficacy for persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, we randomly assigned 169 persons with MS to an immediate intervention group or a delayed control group using a crossover design. The outcome measures: Fatigue Impact Scale, SF-36 Health Survey and Self-Efficacy for Performing Energy Conservation Strategies were measured before and after courses and no intervention control periods.

Psychometric evaluation of the Energy Conservation Strategies Survey.

Objective: To examine the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the Energy Conservation Strategies Survey (ECSS), a tool that was specifically designed to determine if people with multiple sclerosis who attended the six-week energy conservation course actually implemented the strategies taught to them.

Design: The instrument ECSS was administered at six weeks and seven weeks post intervention to evaluate the test-retest reliability, while data from six weeks post intervention were utilized to assess the internal consistency of the ECSS.

Setting: Community locations in Illinois and Minnesota, USA.

The outcomes of using self-study modules in energy conservation education for people with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To determine whether there were any differences in the outcomes of individuals with multiple sclerosis who attended all six sessions of an energy conservation education programme compared with people who missed a session and received a self-study module.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from two naturally occurring groups emerging from a randomized control trial--compliers who received the intervention as intended (group 1) and noncompliers who received a modified intervention with self-study modules (group 2).

Setting: Community settings in Chicago, Illinois and Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

Randomized controlled trials to investigate occupational therapy research questions.

The randomized controlled trial (RCT) has become the most widely accepted research design for testing the efficacy of health care interventions. The purposes of this paper are to (a) introduce the essential elements of RCTs, and (b) discuss some of the special problems faced by occupational therapists in conducting and interpreting RCTs. The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) statement is recommended as an introduction to the components of RCT quality.

Test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the Fatigue Impact Scale for persons with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: The test-retest reliability and the convergent validity of the Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) were evaluated using secondary data from 54 persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: This reliability and validity study used FIS data from before and after two control periods to evaluate test-retest reliability. Convergent validity of the FIS with the Fatigue Severity Scale and with subscales of the SF-36 Health Survey was evaluated using data collected before the first control period.