OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research

This phenomenological study explored and described the lived experience of falls self-efficacy (i.e., perceived self-efficacy in avoiding a fall during basic activities of daily living) among six individuals with multiple sclerosis and its relationship to their overall volition and occupational lives. Participants were interviewed three times over a 3-month period. All interviews were analyzed using the Empirical, Phenomenological, Psychological method. One main theme (managing fall risk as a means of supporting activity) and six subthemes were reflected in participants' lived experiences: (1) understanding personal multiple sclerosis symptoms, abilities, and fall risk; (2) accepting one's changed capacity; (3) focusing on what you can control; (4) ongoing learning by doing; (5) vigilance while doing; and (6) taking personal responsibility to reduce fall risk. The findings show how falls self-efficacy operates as part of a larger volitional process and can be used to inform the development of fall prevention programs for individuals living with multiple sclerosis.

The Health Enhancement Lifestyle Profile (HELP) is a self-report measure for examining various aspects of health-related lifestyle in older adults through seven scales (Exercise; Diet; Work, Education, and Social Participation; Leisure; Activities of Daily Living; Psychological Wellness and Spiritual Participation; and Other Health Promotion and Risk Behaviors). The current study examined the reliability and validity of the HELP scales through classic test theory. The resultant alpha coefficients ranged from .75 to .92 among the scales, indicating acceptable to good internal consistency reliability. Construct validity was also supported by the interrelationships found among the HELP scales and the statistically significant correlations shown between HELP results and global health status (i.e., number of chronic conditions, self-related health). HELP scales can help occupational therapists identify and monitor health promotion occupations and risk behaviors and measure the outcome of services aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles in older adults.

This randomized study compared the effect of two teaching/learning methods (hands-on versus demonstration) on immediate, 15-minute, and 24/48-hour recall in 60 university students. Each student either made no-bake cookies or observed the demonstrated process. Inter-rater reliability concerning recall scores was strong (intraclass correlation coefficient = .98). Analysis of variance across all three levels of recall supported the hands-on condition (F [1,58] = 4.45, p = .039). However, only one of the three t tests (recall at 24/48 hours) comparing hands-on learning to demonstration at the three points of recall, was statistically significant (t [58] = 2.48, p = .008, with effect size d = .648). Generally, the results are consistent with occupational therapy theory, but the lack of a statistically significant difference in terms of immediate recall requires probing as to the meaningfulness of the occupational form to the particular individuals being observed. Meta-analysis of various studies investigating this important principle of occupational therapy is needed to clarify the results of this study in the context of other related studies.

Evidence-based practice and research utilization activities by clinicians enable clients to receive the best, most current health care available. This study investigated the factors predicting pediatric occupational therapists' attitudes toward evidence-based practice and research utilization in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. Questionnaires were received from 696 participants (response rate = 56.58%) who completed the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey (EROS), the Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Research Survey (KAP Survey), and the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale (BARRIERS). The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated the strongest predictor of research utilization was “level of academic occupational therapy qualification,” which was found to be predictive of all of the EROS subscales. The second EROS subscale, “research involvement,” had the largest number of predictive factors. To increase research utilization among pediatric occupational therapists, it is important to be mindful of which aspects of research require improvement so that strategies with the greatest impact and influence can be implemented.

This longitudinal study identified how occupational gaps were characterized in people's lived experiences of performing everyday occupations during the first year after stroke. Four participants were interviewed four times during the year after stroke. The data were collected and analyzed using the Empirical, Phenomenological, Psychological method. Five main characteristics were identified: (1) encountering occupational gaps in formerly taken-for-granted activities, (2) striving to narrow gaps in desired occupations, (3) recognizing oneself in doing, (4) searching for a new sense of self through doing, and (5) creating strategies to enable doing. The findings show the importance of being able to preserve some sense of self in everyday doings after a life course disruption caused by stroke. Important implications for clinical practice include sensitivity to clients' experiences during this process, enablement of experiences in occupations promoting recognition, and support of clients in recapturing desired occupations.