Meet and eat, an interdisciplinary group intervention for patients with myotonic dystrophy about healthy nutrition, meal preparation, and consumption: a feasibility study

Occupational therapy and cooking: A scoping review and future directions

BACKGROUND

Occupational therapy (OT) has historically used cooking as an intervention and assessment approach across settings. Current practices in OT and the emergence of the multidisciplinary field of culinary medicine highlight the relationship between cooking and health.

AIMS/OBJECTIVES

To map the current literature on OT and cooking and to identify key factors that may facilitate collaboration within culinary medicine.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a scoping review using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology to identify primary contexts and clinical settings. Publications were analysed using framework thematic analysis to identify OT themes and roles.

RESULTS

A total of 56 studies met the criteria for inclusion. The majority of studies (n = 29, 53%) represented home/community settings and brain injury was the largest clinical group (n = 15, 27%). Primary themes related to person (n = 47, 43%), occupation (n = 30 (28%), environment (n = 19, 17%), and psychosocial wellbeing (n = 13, 12%). The primary OT role identified was that of interventionist (n = 48, 86%).

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

OT's holistic practice places cooking within a larger context that can help identify and overcome the barriers to participation. Findings support multiple pathways in which OT can contribute to cooking initiatives for health promotion and potentially expand OT practice in population health.

Experiences of patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy with facial weakness: a qualitative study

PURPOSE

This study focuses on the functional and psychosocial consequences of facial weakness of patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) and how they manage their daily lives.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a qualitative study. Sixteen FSHD patients with varying degrees of facial weakness were interviewed using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using the constant comparison approach based on the Straussian Grounded Theory.

RESULTS

Reduced facial expression affected different aspects of a participant's life, which is reinforced by fatigue. Particularly the younger participants described the confrontation with reduced facial expression as upsetting. The unpredictability of the progression of facial weakness makes many participants insecure and concerned. They generally tend to avoid discussing facial weakness with loved ones as well as with strangers.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients would like the expert teams to shed more light on effective skill training and psychosocial support, especially for the younger patient group. A multidisciplinary approach is needed in addition to programs focusing on the individual aspects of facial weakness. As the experienced psychosocial effect is not commonly equal to the objective degree of facial weakness, we recommend a tailored approach. Finally, these programs should point out the importance of the patient's own ingenuity.Implications for RehabilitationFacial weakness affects both activities and social participation in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), which is reinforced by fatigue.Many participants try to stay down to earth and focus on their ability to self-manage their obstacles regarding facial weakness.Thus, future treatment programs should have a multidisciplinary approach and should point out the importance of the patient's own ingenuity.