Effects of a nurse–occupational therapist meeting on function and motivation in hospitalized elderly patients: A pilot randomized control trial

Introduction

This pilot randomized controlled trial assessed the effectiveness of a nurse–occupational therapist meeting on improving motor and social-cognitive functions, as well as motivation, in a subacute hospital setting.

Methods

Participants were randomized to a weekly multidisciplinary team meeting group (‘control’, n = 20) or a nurse–occupational therapist meeting group (‘intervention’, n = 18). Medical care plans in both groups were discussed in the weekly meeting. In addition, the details of daily life problems for the intervention patients were discussed in the nurse–occupational therapist meeting. Outcome measures included motor and social-cognitive functions assessed by the Functional Independence Measure and motivation assessed by the Vitality Index. Assessment time points were at admission and discharge.

Results

In the intervention group, additional improvements were found in the Functional Independence Measure cognitive ( p = 0.048, r = 0.32) and the Vitality Index ( p = 0.027, r = 0.36), whereas the Functional Independence Measure motor was improved in both groups ( p ≤ 0.018, r ≥ 0.52).

Conclusion

We found significant improvement in motor function in both groups and additional improvements in social-cognitive function and motivation in the intervention group. These observations suggest that collaborative practice between nurses and occupational therapists could improve functions underlying independent daily life in hospitalized elderly patients.

Feasibility and effects of a chair-based yoga program for adults with neurodisability

Purpose: This study focuses on exploring the feasibility and the effects of practicing chair-based yoga for 10 weeks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and interoceptive body awareness (BA) in adults with neurodisability and moderate to severe physical dependence.Materials and Methods: A pre- and post-testing control group design was followed. Participants were 34 service users at a rehabilitation center. The intervention group (IG, n = 17, 53% men, mean age of 48.6 ± 11.4 years) took part in the 10-week chair-based yoga program. The control group (CG, n = 17, 53% men, mean age of 53.1 ± 11.0 years) received usual care. The outcome measures were feasibility (recruitment rate, attrition, completion rate, adherence, participation, safety and tolerability), HRQoL (WHOQoL-BREF questionnaire), and BA (the Multidimensional Assessment of Interoceptive Awareness, MAIA). Participants in the IG completed a questionnaire to measure their personal experience of participating in the program.Results and Conclusions: This study provides implications for a 10-week chair-based yoga program as a feasible, well-tolerated, and safe intervention, reinforced by the participants' retrospective judgment. Compared to the CG, the program produced statistically significant improvements over BA, such as subscales of MAIA Noticing (p = .031, Hedges g_s = 0.76), Emotional Awareness (p < .001, Hedges g_s = 1.68), and Trusting (p = .036, Hedges g_s = 0.74), but not HRQoL, for the IG. Chair-based yoga programs could be a rehabilitation strategy in the socio-health care of a varied population with physical mobility impairments leading to wheelchair use.Implications for RehabilitationA 10-week chair-based yoga intervention was shown to be a feasible, well-tolerated, and safe therapy which allowed people of varying abilities to participate equitable.Chair-based yoga can help people with moderate to severe physical dependence due to neurodisability to improve their interoceptive body awareness.Chair-based yoga does not have a significant impact on the health-related quality of life of this sample of participants.

Repurposing NGO data for better research outcomes: a scoping review of the use and secondary analysis of NGO data in health policy and systems research

Background

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) collect and generate vast amounts of potentially rich data, most of which are not used for research purposes. Secondary analysis of NGO data (their use and analysis in a study for which they were not originally collected) presents an important but largely unrealised opportunity to provide new research insights in critical areas, including the evaluation of health policy and programmes.

Methods

A scoping review of the published literature was performed to identify the extent to which secondary analysis of NGO data has been used in health policy and systems research (HPSR). A tiered analytical approach provided a comprehensive overview and descriptive analyses of the studies that (1) used data produced or collected by or about NGOs; (2) performed secondary analysis of the NGO data (beyond the use of an NGO report as a supporting reference); and (3) analysed NGO-collected clinical data.

Results

Of the 156 studies that performed secondary analysis of NGO-produced or collected data, 64% (n = 100) used NGO-produced reports (mostly to a limited extent, as a contextual reference or to critique NGO activities) and 8% (n = 13) analysed NGO-collected clinical data. Of these studies, 55% (n = 86) investigated service delivery research topics and 48% (n = 51) were undertaken in developing countries and 17% (n = 27) in both developing and developed countries. NGOs were authors or co-authors of 26% of the studies. NGO-collected clinical data enabled HPSR within marginalised groups (e.g. migrants, people in conflict-affected areas), albeit with some limitations such as inconsistent and missing data.

Conclusion

We found evidence that NGO-collected and produced data are most commonly perceived as a source of supporting evidence for HPSR and not as primary source data. However, these data can facilitate research in under-researched marginalised groups and in contexts that are hard to reach by academics such as conflict-affected areas. NGO–academic collaboration could help address issues of NGO data quality to facilitate their more widespread use in research. The use of NGO data use could enable relevant and timely research in the areas of programme evaluation and health policy and advocacy to improve health and reduce health inequalities, especially in marginalised groups and developing countries.

Boccia as a Rehabilitation Intervention for Adults With Severe Mobility Limitations Due to Neuromuscular and Other Neurological Disorders: Feasibility and Effects on Upper Limb Impairments

Purpose

Scant research exists regarding the effects of playing Boccia as a rehabilitation strategy for people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders. This study is aimed at identifying the feasibility and effects of playing Boccia on the upper limb impairments of people with severe mobility limitations due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders.

Materials and Methods

Seven people played Boccia three times per week for 20 weeks as part of the rehabilitation process, while other seven kept up with their usual rehabilitation schedule. Attrition, adherence, adverse effects, participation and completion rate were registered to assess feasibility. The effects of the program on grip, pinch strength and upper-limb active range of motion were assessed by means of a dynamometer and a goniometer.

Results and Conclusions

The program was feasible, although no effects were observed after its completion on variables assessed, except for hand flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion. In a group of people with severe disability due to neuromuscular and other neurological disorders, playing Boccia as part of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program was shown to be a feasible therapy. However, practicing this game did not lead to significant improvements in upper limb impairments, except for wrist flexion and ulnar deviation active range of motion.