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Abstract Purpose Materials and Methods Results Conclusions \nIMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION This study explored experiences of the management of challenging behaviours after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the acute hospital setting from the perspectives of family members.A qualitative, interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted involving semi-structured interviews with 10 family members. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis, with Ecological Systems Theory applied as a guiding framework to discuss findings and implications for practice.Four primary themes were identified: 1) The hospital environment; 2) Hospital staffing; 3) Identifying and preventing triggers, and 4) Family support and information.This qualitative study highlights the need for further information, education, and support to families of patients with TBI in the acute setting. Further research investigating the implementation of best practice approaches for managing challenging behaviours practice in acute settings is needed to overcome the barriers of the hospital environment, inexperienced and inconsistent staffing, and difficulties identifying triggers within the acute hospital setting, experienced by families. Approaches for family involvement in behaviour management strategies, and facilitation of communication for people with TBI in the acute setting requires exploration. Families reported the hospital environment, inexperienced and inconsistent staffing, and difficulty identifying triggers were challenges in effectively managing challenging behaviours after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the acute setting. Clinicians can support family involvement in preventative strategies with patients with TBI. Clinicians can enable quality of care by building rapport and providing compassionate care to patients with TBI. Families need more support and information during the acute stage of TBI in hospital settings. Families reported the hospital environment, inexperienced and inconsistent staffing, and difficulty identifying triggers were challenges in effectively managing challenging behaviours after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the acute setting.Clinicians can support family involvement in preventative strategies with patients with TBI.Clinicians can enable quality of care by building rapport and providing compassionate care to patients with TBI.Families need more support and information during the acute stage of TBI in hospital settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess the feasibility of a physiotherapy intervention using an interactive gaming program compared with conventional physiotherapy for hospitalised older people. Methods: Randomised controlled pilot study in a geriatric rehabilitation unit within an acute public hospital. Participants were randomly allocated to physiotherapy using an interactive gaming program ( n = 22) or conventional physiotherapy in a ward-based gym ( n = 22). Feasibility was assessed by comparing the effects of the intervention on clinical outcome measures (primary outcome: mobility as assessed by the Timed Up and Go test, secondary outcomes: safety, adherence levels, eligibility and consent rates). Results: Participants ( n = 44) had a mean age of 85 years (SD 4.5) and the majority (80%) were women. Univariable analyses showed no significant difference between groups following intervention. However, multivariable analyses suggested that participants using the interactive gaming program improved more on the Timed Up and Go test ( p = 0.048) than participants receiving conventional physiotherapy. There were no serious adverse events and high levels of adherence to therapy were evident in both groups. Only a small proportion of patients screened were recruited to the study. Conclusions: In this feasibility study, the use of a commercially available interactive gaming program by physiotherapists with older people in a hospital setting was safe and adherence levels were comparable with conventional therapy. Preliminary results suggest that further exploration of approaches using games as therapy for older people could include commonly used measures of balance and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe a modification of the computer self efficacy scale for use in clinical settings and to report on the modified scale's reliability and construct validity. Methods: The computer self efficacy scale was modified to make it applicable for clinical settings (for use with older people or people with disabilities using everyday technologies). The modified scale was piloted, then tested with patients in an Australian inpatient rehabilitation setting ( n == 88) to determine the internal consistency using Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Construct validity was assessed by correlation of the scale with age and technology use. Factor analysis using principal components analysis was undertaken to identify important constructs within the scale. Results: The modified computer self efficacy scale demonstrated high internal consistency with a standardised alpha coefficient of 0.94. Two constructs within the scale were apparent; using the technology alone, and using the technology with the support of others. Scores on the scale were correlated with age and frequency of use of some technologies thereby supporting construct validity. Conclusions: The modified computer self efficacy scale has demonstrated reliability and construct validity for measuring the self efficacy of older people or people with disabilities when using everyday technologies. This tool has the potential to assist clinicians in identifying older patients who may be more open to using new technologies to maintain independence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical practice guideline (CPG) recommendations for the management of challenging behaviours after traumatic brain injury (TBI) in hospital and inpatient rehabilitation settings are sparse. This systematic review aims to identify and appraise CPGs, and report high-quality recommendations for challenging behaviours after TBI in hospital and rehabilitation settings. A three-step search strategy was conducted to identify CPGs that met inclusion criteria. Two reviewers independently scored the AGREE II domains. Guideline quality was assessed based on CPGs adequately addressing four out of the six AGREE II domains. Data extraction was performed with a compilation of high-quality CPG recommendations. Seven CPGs out of 408 identified records met the inclusion criteria. Two CPGs were deemed high-quality. High-quality CPG recommendations with the strongest supporting evidence include behaviour management plans; beta-blockers for the treatment of aggression; selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for moderate agitation; adamantanes for impaired arousal/attention in agitation; specialised, multi-disciplinary TBI behaviour management services. This systematic review identified and appraised the quality of CPGs relating to the management of challenging behaviours after TBI in acute hospital and rehabilitation settings. Further research to rigorously evaluate TBI behaviour management programs, investigation of evidence-practice gaps, and implementation strategies for adopting CPG recommendations into practice is needed. Two clinical practice guidelines appraised as high-quality outline recommendations for the management of challenging behaviours after traumatic brain injury in hospital and inpatient rehabilitation settings. High-quality guideline recommendations with the strongest supporting evidence for non-pharmacological treatment include behaviour management plans considering precipitating factors, antecedents, and reinforcing events. High-quality guideline recommendations with the strongest supporting evidence for pharmacological management include beta blockers for aggression in traumatic brain injury. Few guidelines provide comprehensive detail on the implementation of recommendations into clinical care which may limit adoption [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Community participation and physical activity are important for the health of older adults. This review aimed to identify studies which have measured physical activity and community participation in older adults using Global positioning systems. Materials and methods: This scoping review searched key databases using predetermined subject headings and keywords. Two independent reviewers selected studies based on a systematic procedure following current guidelines. Inclusion criteria for studies were: participants aged over 50 years living independently in the community that reported on physical activity and/or participation inclusive of physical and social activity, and including a quantitative measure of location. All searches were limited to English. The primary review question was; "What studies have monitored the location of physical activity in an older population?" with secondary enquiries investigating the types of global positioning system devices, barriers and facilitators for activity and community participation. Results: The search returned 3723 articles (following duplicate removal) and 45 met the inclusion criteria. Studies from 12 countries published over a 12-year period were included. Participants were mainly healthy (n = 23) followed by having a cognitive impairment (n = 10). There were 14 different global positioning system devices used, assessing a variety of outcomes (n = 24). Seventeen studies identified facilitators and barriers to participation and physical activity in an older population. The most common facilitators were safety, weather and access to multi-purpose facilities. The most common barriers were weather, safety, low income/high deprivation areas and use of motor vehicles. Conclusion: This scoping review identified a variety of locational monitoring of older people using global positioning devices. Global positioning systems are a valuable tool to obtain accurate activity locations of older people. There is a need for clear guidelines regarding the use of global positioning system devices and specified outcomes in primary research to enable comparison across studies. Physical activity and community participation are vital for healthy ageing. The environment can act as a facilitator or barrier to physical activity and community participation for older adults. Interventions need to target facilitators (weather, safety, facility access and social components) to maximize physical activity and community participation in older people. Interventions should be designed to reduce the barriers (weather, safety, low income and motor vehicle dependency) that prevent older adults from actively participating in their community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benefits of community participation and physical activity for the health and wellbeing of older adults are well documented. This review aims to answer the question; "How is community participation considered for older adults in the transition from hospital to home?" This scoping review searched key databases using subject headings and keywords. Two independent reviewers selected studies based on a systematic procedure. Inclusion criteria were adults aged ≥60 years, transitioning from hospital to home, reporting on community participation, inclusive of leisure activities, social activities, and physical activity. Of 2206 initial unique articles, 19 met inclusion criteria. Articles covered a range of diagnoses, most frequently stroke, hip replacement, or fracture. Numerous measures of community participation were reported, identifying "low" and "reduced" community participation in ten studies. Measures of physical activity, health-related quality of life, sleep quality, and loneliness were variable. Five studies reported interventions and four reported improved components of community participation. Numerous barriers to community participation were identified, with recommendations for future transition care services considered. There are considerable barriers to promoting community participation in transition care services for older people. Older adults need information to prepare for returning home from hospital and to regain valued leisure and social activities for health-related quality of life. Community participation is an important component of healthy ageing which health professionals should consider beyond discharge. Levels of mobility and endurance should be considered in terms of facilitating community participation for older adults. Transition care services should provide adequate information to prepare individuals expectations of returning home following hospital stay, whilst attempting to maintain valued leisure and social activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: It is acknowledged in the literature that the physical and cognitive effects of the degenerative neurological condition of multiple sclerosis can impact upon driver safety. The aim of this study was to identify the experiences and needs of people with multiple sclerosis in relation to driver assessment and rehabilitation. Methods: Focus group discussions were conducted with people with multiple sclerosis (MS) who were: currently driving; no longer licensed or no longer driving and health professionals. Results: The four themes that emerged from the data were: (1) from self-management to formal assessment - a journey of uncertainty and emotional dilemmas; (2) lost independence with grieving and adjustment by self and family; (3) alternative transport is challenging and unsatisfactory; (4) gaps in information and services exist. Conclusions: The results of this study highlight the need for ongoing support in relation to driving for people with MS, ranging from support for self-management, driving assessment and retraining, and preparation for loss of license. Standardised information needs to be developed and health professionals and licensing authorities require knowledge and skills to ensure driver assessment and rehabilitation processes and resources can better meet the needs of people with MS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Driving is often a rehabilitation goal of people with acquired disability, and vehicle modifications are typically required to facilitate this outcome. Though there have been several survey studies on vehicle modifications for people with disability, there has been no qualitative work on understanding people with disabilities' experiences of being a modified vehicle driver. Method: An interpretative phenomenological approach was used to understand the lived experiences of drivers with disability. Semi-structured interviews were conducted (n = 8) with drivers who used a variety of vehicle modifications from simple to highly complex. Using NVivo, Stage 1 of the coding involved case by case analysis and Stage 2 cross case analysis to identify themes that best captured drivers' experiences. Results: Four core themes were identified: knowing vs. challenging limitations, making complex driving considerations, considering undesired alternative transportation options, and responding emotionally to temporary vehicle loss. The Person-Environment-Occupation model was used as an orientating framework to discuss findings. Conclusions: This explorative small scale study highlights that less than full utilisation of modified vehicles is not a result of driver choice, but rather a complex interface between drivers' physical and psychological limitations, and physical environments that do not support the needs of drivers with disability. The development of resources that identify environmental factors in public spaces (e.g., number and location of parking for people with disability, steps, slopes, ticket machines and their height and location) could support the driving choices of people with disabilities. It is important to assess psychological limitations of driving as well as physical limitations. Driving goals and driving capacity across different locations requires periodic review post-rehabilitation. More advocacy for improving community accessibility is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Returning to driving post-stroke is a step towards independence. On return to driving following stroke, confidence is related to performance in on-road assessment and self-regulation of driving behaviours occurs. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between driver's confidence and driving habits post-stroke. Method: Structured telephone surveys were completed with 40 stroke survivors (62% men), of mean age 65 years SD 12.17 who returned to driving post-stroke within the previous 3 years. The survey included: (1) socio-demographics, (2) Adelaide Driving Self Efficacy Scale (ADSES) and (3) Driving Habits Questionnaire (DHQ). Results: Male stroke survivors were more likely to return to driving, drive further and more often. Stroke survivors under 65 years were likely to drive further. Driving confidence was significantly associated with kilometres driven ( p = 0.006), distance driven ( p = 0.027) and self-limiting driving ( p = 0.00). Conclusion: Findings indicate a relationship between confidence and driving behaviours post-stroke. Early recognition of driving confidence will help professionals target specific strategies, encouraging stroke survivors to return to full driving potential, access activities and positively influence quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]