Asnat Bar-Haim Erez

Assessment of spatial neglect using computerised feature and conjunction visual search tasks.

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic sensitivity of tasks employing feature and conjunction visual searches in stroke patients with unilateral spatial neglect (USN). Seventy-two stroke patients (right/left hemispheric damage with/without USN) and 39 healthy controls participated in the study. Hit rate and reaction time measures of feature and conjunction searches were tested using a newly developed computerised programme for the assessment of visual spatial attention (VISSTA). In addition, subjects received a set of diagnostic paper-and-pencil tests, and were also assessed for the impact of neglect on activities of daily living. Results indicated that the computerised test clearly differentiated between stroke patients and healthy controls, and between the different patient groups. USN patients showed significant contralesional disadvantage in both feature and conjunction visual search tasks. It is proposed that computerised assessment of visual search capacity is a useful and sensitive adjunct to standard paper-and-pencil tests of USN, with the advantage of testing responses based on attention shifts under a time constraint. The learning effects that limit the usefulness of paper-and-pencil tests in longitudinal studies are less likely to affect a computerised test, making it more suitable for monitoring treatment-induced or natural recovery by way of repeated testing.

Reported level of pain of upper extremities related to multi-factorial workloads among office workers during and after work hours.

OBJECTIVES This research compared the level of reported pain between women workers with high workload (main work involved typing) and women workers with low workload (various office work where typing was not the main task). The research examined the relationship between reported pain of upper extremities (UE) and the following variables: physical strain exerted during typing on a computer keyboard, extra-work strain on UE, bio-demographic variables, psychosocial variables, and ergonomic variables. STUDY DESIGN Participants were 60 women who worked in offices, divided into two groups. The index group included women whose main work involved typing (high workload: M=6.16 h of typing per day), and the control group did various office work where typing was not the main task (low workload: M=3.23 h of typing per day). The level of pain, physical strain, and data concerning bio-demographic variables, psychosocial variables and ergonomic variables was assessed by a self-reported questionnaire. RESULTS The results suggested that there was a significant difference between workers with high and low typing workloads. Workers with higher typing load reported higher levels of pain. There was a significant positive correlation between level of reports of pain and levels of physical overload at work, and extra-work strain on UE both among workers with high and low workloads. It was also found that levels of pain correlated significantly with bio-demographic variables (age and number of children) and psychosocial variables (managerial responsibilities) among low workload workers only. CONCLUSIONS The research on pain of UE indicates that pain may be affected by a multi-factorial nature of a work-related environment which includes physical strain exerted during typing on a computer keyboard, extra-work strain on UE, bio-demographic variables and psychosocial variables.

Neurofunctional treatment targeting participation among chronic stroke survivors: a pilot randomised controlled study.

Long-term disabilities are common among stroke survivors and are associated with reduced quality of life (QoL). Research on occupation-based intervention for chronic stroke survivors is sparse. The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of neurofunctional treatment (NFT), an occupation-based client-centred treatment approach, for attaining individualised goals in chronic stroke survivors. A pilot randomised control study with a crossover design was employed. The participants were randomly allocated to treatment or control groups, with the intervention replicated for the control group after three months. Twenty three community dwelling stroke survivors, at least one year post-stroke attending a community day centre participated in this study. The 12-week intervention included NFT with individualised occupational goal setting. The treatment methods included task-specific training, environmental or task adaptation, assistive devices, motivation recruitment, and advocacy. Significant differences between the groups were found on occupational performance measures, but not on QoL. These findings were replicated after crossover for the control group. The results support the efficacy of NFT for attaining occupational goals in individuals in the chronic stage after stroke, yet further research is needed to validate these findings in additional treatment settings and over time.

The validity of the Color Trail Test in the pre-driver assessment of individuals with acquired brain injury

Primary objective: To examine the validity of the Color Trails Test (CTT), a culture- fair analogue of the Trails Test, in the pre-driver assessment of individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI). Research design: Retrospective study. Methods and procedures: 30 participants with ABI completed the CTT and Useful Field of View (UFOV) in a driving rehabilitation clinic. Within the same week an on-road evaluation was conducted by a driving rehabilitation specialist, and a driving instructor. Results: 50% of the participants passed the on-road evaluation and 50% failed. Individuals who passed the on-road test performed the CTT1 and CTT2 faster than those who failed, however the difference between the pass/fail groups was significant only for the CTT1. A correlation analysis between the CTT subtests (CTT1 and CTT2) and the UFOV subtests revealed significant, moderate correlations between these measures. Conclusions: The CTT1 may contribute to the pre-driving screening by rapidly identifying those individuals who are most at risk for unsafe driving behaviors. Further studies are required with a larger representative sample.

Integration in the Vocational World: How Does It Affect Quality of Life and Subjective Well-Being of Young Adults with ASD

This study aimed to assess whether the perception of quality of life (QOL) and subjective well-being (SWB) of young adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is affected by participation in a comprehensive program. Participants included 25 young adults with ASD who participated in the “Roim Rachok Program” (RRP), where they were trained to become aerial photography interpreters. Following the training period, they served in a designated army unit where they practiced their newly acquired profession. The participants filled out two questionnaires, (a) Quality of Life (QOL-Q) and (b) Personal Well-being Index (PWI), at three points of the intervention: (a) before the course, (b) at the end of the course, and (c) six months after integrating in the designated army unit. Wilcoxon signed ranks tests were used to assess the differences between the reported QOL and SWB at the three points of time. The results suggest that there were no significant differences at the end of the course, compared to its beginning. However, there were significantly improved perception of QOL and SWB during the period between the end of the course and six months after starting work. The results of this study highlight the importance of tailored vocational programs that are adapted to the unique needs and strengths of individuals with ASD.