The use and effectiveness of elbow splints in the Rett syndrome
tone and motor problems; Rett syndrome; physical intervention; elbow splints; stereotypic hand behavior; stereotypy; occupational therapy
Incessant hand to mouth movements are often noted as part of the movement disorder of the hands in the Rett syndrome (RS). Elbow splints were designed to inhibit this behavior and prevent further injury to the hands. A study of eight RS patients was conducted to determine the effectiveness of splinting. Results were very positive and indicated increased socialization, increased interaction with the environment, decreased hand to mouth movements, and decreased hand wringing behavior.
Aron M
Brain and Development
1990
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80202-6" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80202-6</a>
"It's not about treatment, it's how to improve your life": The lived experience of occupational therapy in palliative care
Professional-patient Relationship; Psychology; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Australia; Female; Human; Male; Middle Aged; Occupational Therapy; Palliative Therapy; Procedures; Qualitative Research; Quality Of Life; Standards; Very Elderly
OBJECTIVES: A key aim of palliative care is to improve the quality-of-life of people with a life-threatening illness. Occupational therapists are well positioned to contribute to this aim due to their broad range of interventions, client-centeredness and focus on occupation. However, there is a limited understanding of how occupational therapy contributes to the end-of-life experience, which is crucial to providing optimal care. The aim of this study is to investigate the lived experience of occupational therapy in palliative care for people with a life-threatening illness. METHOD: A hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological approach was adopted. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants recruited from inpatient and outpatient sectors of a specialist palliative care hospital in Sydney, Australia. RESULTS: The two themes developed from participant responses were: (1) occupational therapy provides comfort and safety and (2) trusting the occupational therapist to know what is needed. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: This study gives insight into the ways in which people with a life-threatening illness experience occupational therapy in palliative care. In addition, it provides a starting point to guide practice that is attentive to the needs of people with a life-threatening illness at end-of-life, thus enhancing client-centered care.
Badger S; Macleod R; Honey A
Palliative & Supportive Care
2016
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1017/S1478951515000826" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1017/S1478951515000826</a>
Guided eating or feeding: three girls with Rett syndrome
children; Rehabilitation; occupational therapy; skills; Activity; dyspraxia; engagement; hand function; hand splints; hand use; involvement; movements; participation; stereotyped hand movements; tone and motor problems; Rett syndrome; psychological intervention; guided eating; being fed
Rett syndrome (RTT) considerably limits participation in daily activities but food and mealtimes are most often motivating activities for persons with RTT. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there is a difference in participation during meals when the persons eating do so through guided eating compared with being fed. Three girls with classic RTT participated in a study inspired by single-subject design. Investigation was performed during two meals at which the girls were fed and during a seven- to eight-week period when guided eating took place. Video analysis and registration forms were used, investigating (1) coordination between opening of the mouth and spoon movement, (2) signs of involvement during the meal, and (3) cooperation in arm movements during guided eating. Guided eating led to improved coordination between opening of the mouth and spoon movement, resulting in opening of the mouth before the spoon arrived, for all of the girls. Signs of involvement changed in two of the girls. According to the guiders, they were able to feel cooperation in arm movements during the different food intake sequences in all three girls. These results indicate that guided eating improved involvement and participation in the eating process in these girls.
Qvarfordt I; Engerstrom I W; Eliasson A C
Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy
2009
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1080/11038120802326214" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">10.1080/11038120802326214</a>