Search

Objectives: This review updates evidence of previous reviews on interventions that target reducing sedentary behaviour among 18- to 69-year-old working aged adults. Methods: A literature search of PubMed, Informit, Scopus, EBSCO, Web of Science and ProQuest. Quality was assessed for individual articles using McMaster University Guidelines. Descriptive analysis was used to summarise findings across studies. Results: Fifteen studies were identified with critical appraisal scores ranging from 10 to 14 (of a possible 15), with a mean score of 11.7 indicating overall moderate quality. The majority of interventions were implemented in the workplace. Others were based in the neighbourhood and education institution settings. Just over half of the studies (n = 9) reported a significant decrease in sedentary behaviour, including in total sedentary behaviour and sitting time, work sitting time and leisure sitting time. Overall sitting time decreases ranged from 8 to 122 minutes per day across all settings. Conclusion: There is some emerging evidence that sedentary behaviour interventions have the potential to reduce sedentary behaviour of working aged adults. However, given the paucity of literature, the effectiveness of such interventions is currently inconclusive. Further high-quality research across different settings is needed using validated standardised measures of sedentary behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying at university can be a very stressful experience. Although the literature provides some information regarding different sources of stress among students, studies have not addressed the issue of changes over the course progression. This study aimed to obtain a deeper understanding of the sources of stress for first-year students and whether these stressors are more prevalent at different times during the semester. A mixed-method approach was used. Content analysis was undertaken on longitudinal electronic message data, and thematic analysis was used for focus group data. Results indicated an increasing trend of stress over the semester. The major stressors identified were academic, financial/work, personal, family-related, interpersonal, social support, university/life balance and starting university. A number of stressors were found to be more prevalent at different times during the semester, including some academic-related stressors plus starting university, family-related and financial/work-related stressors. This is one of the few studies to examine the influence of timing of the levels of stress. Importantly, this study suggests that the start and end of the first semester constitute the riskiest periods for negative stress-related consequences. These results could be used to assist universities in developing student support programmes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Research shows that occupational therapists and occupational therapy students are increasingly taking up positions in cross-cultural contexts where occupational form, social values and understanding of occupation are different to Western norms. It may be difficult for the occupational therapist to identify the implication of cultural differences. Method This meta-synthesis investigated lived experience of physical disability in East and Southeast Asia with the aim of identifying local understandings of disability, using the technique of meta-ethnography as described by Noblit and Hare. Findings Fourteen articles met the selection criteria and six overarching themes were identified concerning disability in Asia: theme (1), the influence of disability on relationships within primary groups; theme (2), journeys in resilience vary among individuals; theme (3), managing poor health makes disability difficult; theme (4), education is important and difficult for people with disabilities to achieve; theme (5), financial hardship is closely linked to disability; and theme (6), values and beliefs are enmeshed in the experiences of living with disabilities. Conclusion There is a wide range of experiences of disability. Occupational therapy services and research may be more effective for people with disabilities in cross-cultural settings, when these factors are investigated and incorporated into practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Objective/Background: This study aims to explore the occupational therapists' role, nearly intervention for children diagnosed with a rare developmental disability, Methods: A survey was distributed by mail or online, to eligible occupational therapists currently used by the Disability and Community Care Services throughout Queensland, Australia. Eligible occupational therapists were those working with children aged 0 -6 years. Two in-depth phone interviews were also undertaken. Results: Eleven participants who had previously worked with at least one child with a rare developmental disability returned the survey. One participant nominated for a follow-up interview and a second interview with a speech and language pathologist was conducted to gain a multidisciplinary perspective. The most common areas requiring intervention were play support (85.3%), activities of daily living, communication, gross motor, and fine motor skills (79.4%). Conclusion: Family-centred practice, play therapy, and individually tailored programmes are identified as key practice areas for this population. The important role occupational therapists play in early intervention teams is highlighted; however, further research is needed to develop the evidence base for best practice with particular rare developmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a correlation between the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and clinical reasoning in the process of therapy-decision-making. It presents significant connection regarding the importance of including ICF as part of medical practices by way of clinical reasoning within the profession of occupational therapy. Meanwhile, it notes that since the adoption of ICF in March 2001, it was promoted as part of health practices.

Background: Most prostate cancers are characterized by a significant rise in the production of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is used widely in screening for prostate cancer. Within New Zealand, PSA is measured on automated immunoassay analysers, including models by Abbott Laboratories (Architect i2000) and Roche Diagnostics (Elecsys 2010). These assays produce similar, but not identical, results. Objective: To compare the measurement of PSA between the Elecsys 2010 and the Architect i2000 assay. Methods: We measured PSA concentrations in each of 194 serum samples using both the Roche Elecsys 2010 and the Abbott Architect i2000 and compared the results using various statistical methods. Results: PSA concentrations measured on the Architect i2000 system were less than those on the Elecsys 2010 system, by an average of 11%. Conclusion: Because the results from the two assays are different, reference intervals appropriate to the method of PSA measurement should be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes a case in which Charles Bonnet syndrome was the presenting feature of type II diabetes mellitus. The case was of a woman aged 72 who reported recent onset of right-sided headaches. She had difficulty in focusing on objects and consequent clumsiness in her actions. A psychiatric assessment and mental state examination found that this was a case of hallucinations.