Hong Kong Journal of Occupational Therapy

Legible handwriting is crucial for academic success, especially among elementary school students. However, there is limited research on handwriting interventions for logographic languages. The purpose of this study was to develop a Geometric-Based Handwriting Intervention (GBHI) Program for improving Chinese handwriting and to investigate its feasibility and preliminary outcomes.

The intervention program was created using psycho-geometric, developmental, and motor learning theories, along with cognitive principles specific to Chinese character writing. Comprising 4 course modules, it was designed to systematically incorporate the geometric structure of Chinese characters into activities targeting fundamental handwriting skills. A two-phase feasibility study was conducted. In Phase 1, eight typically developing elementary students participated in a single 3-h course module to assess their satisfaction with the program. In Phase 2, four elementary students completed all four course modules to evaluate the feasibility and explore potential benefits, as measured by the Chinese Handwriting Evaluation Form (CHEF), the Chinese Handwriting Legibility Assessment for Children (CHLAC), and assessments of handwriting-related fundamental skills.

In Phase 1, participants reported high satisfaction with the problem, with an average rating of 4.40 on the 5-point Likert-type satisfaction questionnaire. In Phase 2, participants demonstrated improvements in handwriting performance following completion of the GBHI program.

This study contributes to the growing body of research on handwriting interventions, particularly within the context of logographic language education. The program introduces a novel approach to teaching Chinese character writing, and the successful delivery of the 4-module intervention supports its feasibility for implementation.

The Contextual Memory Test-2 (CMT-2) is an updated version of the CMT, which is a standardized occupational therapy assessment to evaluate an individual’s memory, awareness and strategy use to guide occupational therapy interventions. This study aimed to examine, amongst younger adults (<40 years old) and middle-to-older adults (>40 years old) in Singapore, (1) the relationship between strategy use and memory performance (2) the relationship between online awareness and memory performance, and (3) explore the relationship of memory performance and online awareness with age. The secondary objective was establishing preliminary normative data on CMT-2 for the Singapore adult population.

One hundred and thirty-two healthy participants aged 18–71 were recruited via convenience sampling and underwent virtual or face-to-face assessment. CMT-2 was administered to assess their immediate recall (IR), delayed recall (DR), total recall (TR), strategy use, and online awareness of performance through prediction and estimation discrepancies.

Higher recall scores were found for efficient strategies as compared to inefficient (IR: p = .012; DR: p = .003; TR: p = .003). For different strategy types, ‘context’ yielded higher recall scores than ‘limited association’ (IR: p < .001, DR: p = .016). During IR, ‘association’ also obtained a higher recall score than ‘limited association’ (p = .007). Significant strong negative correlation of IR prediction discrepancy with recall score was found (r_s (130) = -.611, p < .001).

The preliminary normative data of CMT-2 among healthy adults in Singapore highlighted the role of effective memory strategies and online awareness in memory recall performance, suggesting the prioritization of these areas during interventions.

The aims of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) include the promotion of research for advancing public protection and access to quality evidence-informed occupational therapy. As a Federation of occupational therapy organisations, WFOT was requested by national member associations to conduct a global consultation to assist them in engaging occupational therapists in research in their country by identifying priority issues and sharing research participation strategies.

A two-phase mixed methods study involving an online needs analysis survey of representatives of each national member organisation of WFOT; followed by a consultation with WFOT member organisation representatives attending a WFOT Council meeting to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) for research engagement.

Strengths for research engagement were identified as the broad scope of practice of occupational therapy; growing research capacity; and increasing access to evidence. Weaknesses included the availability of time and resources; and access to external supports. SWOT participants identified opportunities for developing a robust research culture within the profession, as well as strategies to continue to promote access to research evidence. Threats to occupational therapist research engagement centred upon low expectations among some occupational therapy stakeholders regarding the use and generation of research.

Findings suggest a culture change is needed to better involve occupational therapists in research. Building research capacity is dependent not only upon nurturing individual research skills and motivation, but also on advocating for organisations involved with the profession to foster, produce and use research. Recommendations for key occupational therapy stakeholders were identified from the findings to create not only the required research competence and confidence, but also the environments and supports that are conducive to such involvement.

Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) applied in the field of occupational therapy (OT) have shown promising results, particularly in enhancing emotional well-being, stress regulation, and pain management. However, to the best of our knowledge, a systematic review of the existing research on MBIs in the context of OT is lacking. This review aims to: (1) outline the types and components of MBIs applied in OT; and (2) summarize the current empirical evidence on their effectiveness in OT practice, focusing on health-related and OT-related outcomes.

Seven databases were searched with key terms related to mindfulness and OT, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsychInfo and Medline. The review included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies published in English covered the period from the inception of the databases to October 2024. Exclusion criteria included articles that were not peer-reviewed, lacked outcome data, or were not applied in OT. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology was employed for the systematic review, which included critical appraisal and narrative synthesis.

A total of 10 studies were included in this review. The critical appraisal scores ranged from 50 to 91.67 (mean = 74.31), with RCTs scoring between 50 and 91.67 (mean = 73.33), and quasi-experimental studies between 62.5 to 88.89 (mean = 75.28). The interventions categorized were creative and art-based mindfulness activities (n = 2), structured MBIs (n = 3), and multi-modal MBIs (n = 5). MBIs demonstrated significant effectiveness in improving mental health, particularly overall mental health levels, and may offer potential benefits in promoting activity and participation. However, no significant additional benefits were observed for physical health, cognitive function, or health-related quality of life.

MBIs are evidence-based interventions that can effectively improve mental health, particularly in overall health levels, and may promote activity and participation. Occupational therapists can incorporate approaches, such as creative and art-based mindfulness activities, structured MBIs, and multi-modal MBIs, in their daily practice. Further exploration and integration of these interventions into OT education and practice should be encouraged.

One possible effect of mental disorders among general workers is their impact on cardiovascular health. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between mental disorders—specifically depression, anxiety, depression-anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)—and heart disease in workers.

This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted across five electronic bibliographic databases. Two independent researchers screened and selected studies by examining titles and abstracts. Data was independently extracted by two reviewers from the chosen studies. Moreover, a meta-analysis was performed focusing on the odds ratio values.

Thirty-four studies were included in the analysis. Of these, 29 focused on myocardial infarction, 2 on heart failure, and 2 on ischemic heart disease. Among the reviewed studies, 30 out of 34 demonstrated a significant association between depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder with heart diseases. Based on the results of meta-analysis, pooled values of odds ratio related to association between depression, anxiety, and PTSD with heart disease were 1.53 (95% CI: 1.26–1.80), 1.87 (95% CI: 0.13–3.61), and 1.70 (95% CI: 1.34–2.05), respectively.

The findings suggest that depression, anxiety, depression-anxiety, and PTSD may contribute to the development of heart disease in workers. However, the high heterogeneity warrants cautious interpretation. Consequently, it is imperative that preventive measures, such as workplace mental health programs, stress management interventions, occupational therapy programs, and policies targeting occupational risk factors, are implemented.

Spatial neglect, a disorder of lateralized spatial attention, is often considered to be a hidden condition because symptoms do not appear unless comprehensive assessment is completed. The Kessler Foundation Neglect Assessment Process (KF-NAP®) is a standardized method using the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS) to detect and measure spatial neglect during daily activities. It is a frequently used tool because it assesses spatial neglect during functional activities, meaning it is comprehensive and applied. Since it was introduced in 2012, the KF-NAP has been adopted in numerous inpatient and outpatient settings and gone through several revisions. The latest and most used version is the 2015 edition.

Users have been providing the developers of the assessment informal feedback and suggestions during training sessions, lectures, and professional conferences. In addition, as part of a multisite implementation project, the developers asked KF-NAP users to provide their comments about the tool.

Using this qualitative information, the developers made changes to the KF-NAP Manual by adding detail to the observation and scoring procedures, a “questions to consider” section to each item-specific instruction, and highlighted instructions based on practice setting. For example, clarification about how to assess the personal belongings category in an outpatient setting is provided, which includes more details on what items to ask and directions about setup.

This article aims to inform health professionals working with the neurological population about the KF-NAP 2023 Manual. The goal is to help users improve their experience and consequently improve practice.