Date Presented 03/22/24
We present a practical infrastructure for establishing remote OT intervention, in addition to the existing in-person services, for the large population of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs).
Primary Author and Speaker: Yafit Gilboa
Additional Authors and Speakers: Miri Tal-Saban
Contributing Authors: Noam Arieli-Ovadia, Stav Ben Zagmi-Averbuch
PURPOSE: The high prevalence of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), combined with low availability of developmental services, raises an urgent need to develop effective, remotely accessible intervention models. Teleintervention is an innovative and practical option, but evidence for its feasibility and efficacy among children is insufficient. Therefore, the current study aims to adapt an accepted occupational therapy intervention for remote delivery, and to assess its feasibility and efficacy among children with NDDs.
DESIGN: This quasi-experimental, pre-post intervention design recruited children with NDDs aged 5-8 years from child development units in southern Israel.
METHOD: The intervention included 12-15 weekly videoconference sessions utilizing the CO-OP approach. Outcome measures were standard tools assessed performance (Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Performance Quality Rating Scale) and satisfaction (Parents as Partners in Intervention-Satisfaction Questionnaire). Following the intervention, focus groups were conducted with all parents and occupational therapists who took part in the study.
RESULTS: Overall, 14 children (71% boys) completed the intervention and reported high satisfaction levels. A clinically significant improvement was achieved in personal goals trained, according to child and parent reports (80% and 73.68%, respectively). Additionally, our preliminary qualitative findings emerged a few main themes, such as: parents engagement, technological orientation and therapists qualification.
CONCLUSION: The Tele-CO-OP intervention was found feasible for children with NDDs and may improve occupational performance goals. In the long run, the integration of accessible and effective services in child development units will help reduce the burden on their families, promote their functioning.
References
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