Exploring the Evolution and Utility of Neuro-Occupation: A Scoping Review

Neuro-occupation was developed to study the relationship between the nervous system and occupation. Pragmatic implications of neuro-occupation have not been previously summarized. This study aimed to determine how neuro-occupation has been defined, applied across relevant fields, and evolved over time. We performed a scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. Twenty-five works related to neuro-occupation published between 1997 and 2020 were included. We found that neuro-occupation evolved from utilization primarily in the United States to an international term applied to different clinical populations. Common themes were: (a) the reciprocal relationship between the nervous system and occupations; (b) the Intention, Meaning, and Perception (IMP) model of neuro-occupation; and (c) pragmatic implications for occupational therapy practice and interventions. We suggest an updated definition of neuro-occupation. In addition, we contend that although the term neuro-occupation was developed in response to historical debates in occupational therapy, continued use creates more confusion than clarity.

Modification of the training environment to improve functional performance using blacklight conditions: a case study of a child with autism

Objective: This retrospective case study of an eight year old female with autism illuminates how alteration of the training environment using florescent objects under blacklight conditions, may have been the facilitating impetus that increased her interaction with objects over time. Methods: This study approach was chosen to best correspond with establishment of an individualized education plan for a child with limited functional skills. The complicated task of teaching toothbrushing was broken down into 34 action steps, grouped into six training clusters that were chained together, using a hierarchy of prompts that were faded on every step, until the child functioned on each step independently. Her progress was evaluated by four points of data. Findings: The child interacted with objects and became independent in toothbrushing. Conclusion: Backlighting brought previously ignored objects into the foreground, enabling a child with autism to develop or accentuate visual focus. Future research about the effect of blacklight paired with powerful instructional techniques is recommended.

Neuro-occupation: A self-organizing approach to conflate the brain, context, and occupation

BACKGROUND.

Neuro-occupation was coined to conflate three distinctly different concepts: the brain, context, and occupation. Discussing neuro-occupation has been more of an academic exercise rather than cogently researched for everyday practice, perhaps due to the seemingly incongruity among the concepts.

PURPOSE.

This article traces the self-organization approach, an assumption of complex systems, to understand how the concepts can be conflated.

METHOD.

Deductive category application, a qualitative descriptive method for tracing theoretical assumptions, was drawn from the lived experiences of 11 Iranian participants with cerebrovascular accidents. Matrix construction aided collection of data for analysis.

FINDINGS.

The self-organization approach, underpinning neuro-occupation, was shown to be traceable, explaining how occupational participation may be influenced by the brain circular causality and perturbations provided by the context.

IMPLICATIONS.

By understanding the dynamics of self-organization, occupational therapists can identify and create salient features that may motivate and enable clients to enhance occupational participation.

A Cognitive Neurodynamic Approach to Prediction of Students' Adaptation to College: An Ex-Post Facto Study

Introduction

Campus life tends to make social and academic demands on college students. To cope with these demands, students are required to use their neurocognitive skills of problem-solving and planning intentional actions that target towards adaptation to college. This paper presents an illuminating perspective that would inform understanding of a new approach to cognitive neuroscience. The linkage between cognition and adaptation was sought in the context of a cognitive neurodynamic approach proposed by the Intention, Meaning, and Perception (IMP) model of neuro-occupation.

Methods

An ex post facto study was conducted on a convenience sample of 187 college students in Shiraz, Iran. A brief questionnaire was developed to screen participants for diversity of cognitive neurodynamic processing capacity and three standardized questionnaires were used to gather data about college adaptation manifestations. The partial correlation, 1-way, and 2-way ANOVA tests were used to analyze the data.

Results

The partial correlation test showed large, positive correlation (r≥0.7, P<0.001) between elements of the cognitive neurodynamic process, denoting that the interrelated connections among intention, meaning, and perception were governed by feedback loops. One-way ANOVA test revealed that students with diverse cognitive neurodynamic processing capacity had a variety of college adaptation manifestations. Two-way ANOVA showed a statistically significant main effect for neurodynamic processing capacity (F_{2, 178}=8.1, P<0.001).

Conclusion

College adaptation could have been established by the cognitive neurodynamic process proposed by the IMP model. Therefore, it is advisable for faculty, mental health practitioners, and counselors who work with students at universities to understand this process and address students' maladaptation to campus life.

Adaption to Stroke: A Nonlinear Thinking Approach in Occupational Therapy

This paper explores the role of perturbance and attractor, two key nonlinear features described by the Neuro-occupation model in shaping human behavior. A convenience sample of eleven Iranian participants who had both strokes and demonstrated high resilience were recruited for this study. To explore the process of how participants fell under the influence of the perturbance and attractor, the content analysis with pre-determined categories using deductive reasoning was used. The findings suggest that perturbance and attractor exerted considerable influences on adaptation to stroke and assist in the understanding of the Neuro-occupation model.

Application of Nonlinear Dynamics Theory to Neuro-Occupation: A Case Study of Alcoholism

Nonlinear dynamics systems theory, also referred to as chaos theory, is infiltrating the biomedical and social sciences, including the practice of occupational therapy. Consequently, the Neuro-occupation model has emerged for the treatment of different illnesses, in which a therapist strives to apply the benefits of this theory. This model provides occupational therapists with a method of anticipating the natural flux between underlying or hidden order and chaos in occupations, which allows individuals to function at their highest level. These occupations typically involve the interaction of numerous variables over time. By considering a nonlinear dynamics approach in illnesses such as alcoholism, occupational therapists may understand how meaningful occupations serve as a catalyst to facilitate change, which may assist in better understanding the effect of the therapeutic relationship with the clients they serve. This paper explains the nonlinear dynamics of the interventions in a single case study on alcoholism using the Neuro-occupation model.

Experiences of university students disclosing epilepsy to peers: ‘It's a shared thing now’

Introduction

While disclosure of concealable conditions like epilepsy can create social support, it may cause relationships to disintegrate. Friendship in young adulthood is pivotal in the transition to emotional autonomy, yet little is known about peer disclosure by university students with epilepsy. This qualitative study aimed to map key features in the process of epilepsy disclosure.

Method

Semi-structured interviews were completed with eight young adults (aged 18–25 years) with epilepsy enrolled in or recently graduated from Irish universities.

Findings

Thematic analysis yielded four main themes: (1) Assessing the disclosure recipient; (2) Managing the presentation of epilepsy; (3) Forging alliances; and (4) Feeling more positive. The process of disclosure centred on enlisting the support of allies deemed trustworthy by participants. Disclosure messages presented epilepsy neutrally to bolster allies' commitment to the role. Although participants viewed disclosure as beneficial to wellbeing, concern was expressed about acquiring a stigmatised social identity.

Conclusion

Occupational therapists are well placed to support young adults through the process of disclosure. Promoting a positive collective identity through peer mentorship promises to disrupt stigma. More broadly, partnerships between occupational therapists and epilepsy organisations or disability support services in third level education could establish an academic culture where supports are readily available to people with concealable illnesses.