British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Since fear of falling has been linked to self-restriction of activity, a further decline in physical functioning and a greater risk of falling, interventions, such as use of telecare, to address a person's fear are essential to reduce the risk of further falls. The aim of this critical review was to evaluate the association between older people's fear of falling and the use of telecare, and whether telecare could reduce this fear.

A search of major databases (1980–2011) identified 424 results and, following screening, 10 articles were included in the review.

Perceptions of older people about using telecare were mixed: some felt a greater sense of security and reassurance but, for others, confidence levels were not increased. Studies suggest that an automatic fall detector was useful for older people who were unable or reluctant to use a pendant alarm following a fall.

The use of telecare including the wearing of an automatic fall detector, while improving confidence and reducing fear of falling in some, does not suit everyone. A careful assessment of a person's views on his or her falls risk and level of anxiety will determine how telecare can best meet the person's needs to remain supported at home.

This study explored participation in committed activities (activities that we are obliged to perform), discretionary activities (activities for recreation and pleasure) and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

The study involved 238 females with RA. Self-reported participation in activities was measured by the Interest Checklist. The activities on the checklist were divided into committed and discretionary activities participated in during the past 10 years, the previous year and at the present time. HRQoL was measured by the Short-Form 36 (SF-36).

The results showed significant decreases in participation in both committed and discretionary activities over the 10-year period. Multivariate analysis showed that high participation in committed activities was associated significantly with good physical function, whereas high participation in discretionary activities was associated significantly with psychological wellbeing and good physical function. Respectively, the significant associations accounted for 30% of the variance of committed activities and 41% of the variance of discretionary activities. Higher education was associated significantly with high participation in activities, particularly in discretionary activities.

Occupational therapists and other health professionals should assist females with RA, and especially those with less education, to maintain essential discretionary activities because this is associated with psychological wellbeing.

The purpose of this study was to (1) validate the Hebrew version of the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile (AASP); (2) screen sensory processing difficulties, as expressed in daily living in a vast range of ages of healthy Israeli adolescents, adults and older people; and (3) examine gender effect on sensory processing in the different age groups.

Good internal consistency was found for each of the AASP quadrants, although factor analysis did not find total similarity between the Hebrew version of the AASP and the original AASP. Sensory processing difficulties were shown by 22–42% of the participants in the different age groups. Older participants had lower tendency for Sensation Seeking. Females were more sensitive than males in the age groups of 11–17 years and 18–64 years.

In general, the Hebrew version of the AASP was found to be valid and succeeded in profiling sensory processing difficulties along the life span of typical Israeli adolescents and adults. Further studies should apply the Hebrew version of the AASP to screen sensory processing difficulties among individuals with disabilities and elaborate their impact on people's performance/participation in daily activities.

Reforms in the National Health Service have encouraged a whole system approach. However, coordinated care may be difficult at the interface between acute hospital and community services. Inreach services are community based and the same member of staff provides intervention in hospital and after discharge. This qualitative study aimed to understand medical patients' experiences of inreach occupational therapy.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of seven older people, following their discharge from a medical inreach occupational therapy service. Thematic analysis was used to explore findings.

Uncertainty was expressed about the role of occupational therapy and about participants not feeling involved in their hospital discharge. There was an appreciation that inreach occupational therapy could aid continuity of care. Some participants considered regular contact with a known health professional to be reassuring on return home, whereas for other participants the principle of accurate information sharing between staff was particularly important at discharge.

All participants valued a seamless service between occupational therapy in hospital and at home. The importance of services working across organisational boundaries is emphasised, tailoring the timing of interventions to meet individuals' needs.

Collaborative goal setting is an important part of the occupational therapy process in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Little is known about the clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with this population, although it has potential advantages over informal methods of goal setting commonly used in a spinal injury unit (SIU). The aim of this study was to investigate the goal setting process and clinical utility of the COPM from the perspective of occupational therapists within a SIU.

A focus group was conducted with six occupational therapists working in a SIU to explore their experiences and use of goal setting and the COPM. Inductive thematic analysis identified key themes from their comments.

Focus group themes were the impact of client adjustment and other factors, organisational and administrative factors, therapist skill level and experience requirements, benefits of the COPM and incorporating the COPM into practice.

Formal goal setting was a concept that was identified as a priority by the participants; however, there were organisational, client and therapist related factors that were considered as both barriers and facilitators to formal goal setting and the use of the COPM in this setting.