Daniel Marinho Cezar da Cruz

Evidências sobre violência e deficiência: implicações para futuras pesquisas

In light of several studies on violence which have been conducted in different fields of knowledge, this paper aims to discuss the phenomenon of violence as well as its relationship to disability in human development. The methodology consisted in reviewing the literature produced in the past two years, in which some types of violence and their relationship with the disability were highlighted. The considerations point to the need for funding research on this topic as well as bringing health and educational professionals together with the community in the context for prevention and promotion of child development.

Associations among occupational roles, independence, assistive technology, and purchasing power of individuals with physical disabilities

OBJECTIVE to verify whether there are associations among occupational roles, independence to perform Activities of Daily Living, purchasing power, and assistive technology for individuals with physical disabilities. METHOD 91 individuals with physical disabilities participated in the study. The instruments used were: Role Checklist, Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion, Barthel Index, and a Questionnaire to characterize the subjects. RESULTS an association with a greater number of roles was found among more independent individuals using a lower number of technological devices. Higher purchasing power was associated with a lower functional status of dependence. CONCLUSION even though technology was not directly associated with independence, the latter was associated with a greater number of occupational roles, which requires reflection upon independence issues when considering the participation in occupational roles. These findings support interdisciplinary actions designed to promote occupational roles in individuals with physical disabilities.OBJETIVO: teve-se por proposito verificar se existe associacao entre os papeis ocupacionais, a independencia em Atividades da Vida Diaria, o poder aquisitivo e a tecnologia assistiva em sujeitos com deficiencias fisicas. METODO: participaram 91 sujeitos com deficiencia fisica. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Lista de Identificacao de Papeis Ocupacionais, Criterio de Classificacao Economica Brasil, Indice de Barthel e um Formulario de caracterizacao dos sujeitos. RESULTADOS: identificou-se associacao de maior numero de papeis nos sujeitos com maior independencia e menor numero de tecnologias utilizadas. As classes de maior poder aquisitivo mostraram associacao com menor status funcional de dependencia. CONCLUSAO: embora a tecnologia nao estivesse associada diretamente a independencia, essa ultima mostrou associacao com maior numero de papeis ocupacionais, o que requer um olhar para as questoes de independencia, ao se considerar a participacao em papeis ocupacionais. Esses dados fornecem subsidios para acoes interdisciplinares que incentivem a participacao em papeis por pessoas com deficiencia fisica.

An electromyographic analysis of two handwriting grasp patterns

BACKGROUND Handwriting is a fundamental skill needed for the development of daily-life activities during lifetime and can be performed using different forms to hold the writing object. In this study, we monitored the sEMG activity of trapezius, biceps brachii, extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor digitorum superficialis during a handwriting task with two groups of subjects using different grasp patterns. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Twenty-four university students (thirteen males and eleven females; mean age of 22.04±2.8years) were included in this study. We randomly invited 12 subjects that used the Dynamic Tripod grasp and 12 subjects that used the Static Tripod grasp. RESULTS The static tripod group showed statistically significant changes in the sEMG activity of trapezium and biceps brachii muscles during handwriting when compared to dynamic tripod groups subjects. No significant differences were found in extensor carpi radialis brevis and flexor digitorum superficialis activities among the two groups. CONCLUSION The findings in this study suggest an increased activity of proximal muscles among subjects using a transitional grasp, indicating potential higher energy expenditure and muscular harm with the maintenance of this motor pattern in handwriting tasks, especially during the progression in academic life.

Assistive Technology Accessibility and Abandonment: Challenges for Occupational Therapists

Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ojot Part of the Occupational Therapy Commons, and the Orthotics and Prosthetics Commons Copyright transfer agreements are not obtained by The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Reprint permission for this article should be obtained from the corresponding author(s). Click here to view our open access statement regarding user rights and distribution of this article. DOI: 10.15453/2168-6408.1166

Independence and cognition post-stroke and its relationship to burden and quality of life of family caregivers

Background: Stroke is a chronic disease responsible for changes in the functional capacity of the patients. Patient care is usually provided by family caregivers, but with great burden and negative impact on their quality of life. Objectives: (1) To investigate whether a correlation existed between the levels of independence and cognition in stroke patients and the burden and quality of life of their caregivers; (2) to assess whether periods of injury, rehabilitation and care, and age of the stroke patients interfered with these correlations. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and correlational study that included 60 participants, of which 30 were post-stroke patients and 30 were their caregivers. The data collection instruments were the Mini Mental State Examination and the Functional Independence Measure for the post-stroke participants, and the Zarit Burden Interview Scale and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF, for the caregivers. The Pearson’s product-moment correlation was used for the data analysis. Results: Independence and cognition showed no correlation with the burden and quality of life of the caregivers. We identified a strong positive correlation between independence and cognition (r = 0.882), and a moderate negative correlation between independence and rehabilitation period (r = −0.398) and between burden and quality of life of the caregivers (r = −0.414). Conclusions: Our data suggest the need for health interventions aimed not only at stroke patients, but also at their family caregivers, given the association between the burden and the low levels of quality of life of the caregivers.

Associação entre papéis ocupacionais, independência, tecnologia assistiva e poder aquisitivo em sujeitos com deficiência física

OBJECTIVE to verify whether there are associations among occupational roles, independence to perform Activities of Daily Living, purchasing power, and assistive technology for individuals with physical disabilities. METHOD 91 individuals with physical disabilities participated in the study. The instruments used were: Role Checklist, Brazilian Economic Classification Criterion, Barthel Index, and a Questionnaire to characterize the subjects. RESULTS an association with a greater number of roles was found among more independent individuals using a lower number of technological devices. Higher purchasing power was associated with a lower functional status of dependence. CONCLUSION even though technology was not directly associated with independence, the latter was associated with a greater number of occupational roles, which requires reflection upon independence issues when considering the participation in occupational roles. These findings support interdisciplinary actions designed to promote occupational roles in individuals with physical disabilities.OBJETIVO: teve-se por proposito verificar se existe associacao entre os papeis ocupacionais, a independencia em Atividades da Vida Diaria, o poder aquisitivo e a tecnologia assistiva em sujeitos com deficiencias fisicas. METODO: participaram 91 sujeitos com deficiencia fisica. Os instrumentos utilizados foram: Lista de Identificacao de Papeis Ocupacionais, Criterio de Classificacao Economica Brasil, Indice de Barthel e um Formulario de caracterizacao dos sujeitos. RESULTADOS: identificou-se associacao de maior numero de papeis nos sujeitos com maior independencia e menor numero de tecnologias utilizadas. As classes de maior poder aquisitivo mostraram associacao com menor status funcional de dependencia. CONCLUSAO: embora a tecnologia nao estivesse associada diretamente a independencia, essa ultima mostrou associacao com maior numero de papeis ocupacionais, o que requer um olhar para as questoes de independencia, ao se considerar a participacao em papeis ocupacionais. Esses dados fornecem subsidios para acoes interdisciplinares que incentivem a participacao em papeis por pessoas com deficiencia fisica.

Electromyographic Activity of the Upper Limb in Three Hand Function Tests

Objective/Background Occupational therapists usually assess hand function through standardised tests, however, there is no consensus on how the scores assigned to hand dexterity can accurately measure hand function required for daily activities and few studies evaluate the movement patterns of the upper limbs during hand function tests. This study aimed to evaluate the differences in muscle activation patterns during the performance of three hand dexterity tests. Methods Twenty university students underwent a surface electromyographic (sEMG) assessment of eight upper limb muscles during the performance of the box and blocks test (BEST), nine-hole peg test (9HPT), and functional dexterity test (FDT). The description and comparison of each muscle activity during the test performance, gender differences, and the correlation between individual muscles’ sEMG activity were analysed through appropriate statistics. Results Increased activity of proximal muscles was found during the performance of BEST (p < .001). While a higher activation of the distal muscles occurred during the FDT and 9HPT performance, no differences were found between them. Comparisons of the sEMG activity revealed a significant increase in the muscle activation among women (p = .05). Strong and positive correlations (r > .5; p < .05) were observed between proximal and distal sEMG activities, suggesting a coordinate pattern of muscle activation during hand function tests. Conclusion The results suggested the existence of differences in the muscle activation pattern during the performance of hand function evaluations. Occupational therapists should be aware of unique muscle requirements and its impact on the results of dexterity tests during hand function evaluation.

Burden and Quality of Life of Family Caregivers of Stroke Patients

ABSTRACT The purpose of this study was to identify the level of burden and quality of life of family caregivers of stroke patients and to investigate the correlation between burden, quality of life (including physical, social, psychological, and environmental domains), age of caregivers, and the care period. A descriptive correlational cross-sectional study was performed, with a convenience sample of family caregivers (n = 30) of stroke patients in São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire on participants’ characteristics, the Zarit Burden Interview Scale (ZBIS), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument. A descriptive analysis was performed, and correlations between variables were analyzed using Pearsons product-moment correlation coefficient. The average burden score on the ZBIS was 29.6, representing a moderate burden, and the average overall quality of life score on the WHOQOL-BREF was 62.06%, which indicates moderate quality of life. A significant weak negative correlation was observed between burden and environmental domains (r = −0.470; p =.009), quality of life (r = −0.414; p =.023), and physical domains (r = −0.394; p =.031). No significant correlations were found between burden and quality of life, and variables in the psychological and social domains, age of caregivers, or care period. Caregivers for stroke patients presented with moderate levels of burden and reduction in quality of life. Levels of burden correlated negatively with environmental domains, quality of life levels, and physical domains; however, these correlations were weak, indicating the possible interference of other factors.

Pressure distribution analysis in three wheelchairs cushions of subjects with spinal cord injury

Abstract Purpose: Pressure injuries are a complication due to spinal cord injury. The objective of the study is to compare the pressure distribution in the wheelchair seat of subjects with spinal cord injury using 3 pads (Roho®, Varilite® and Jay®). Methods: Pressure analysis was performed on 10 participants in two situations: (a) the participant sitting in static posture and (b) with the wheelchair being used for locomotion. Results: In the static position: Jay® showed the best rates for average pressure and also the contact area, the Roho® had the lowest average for the peak pressure. During the wheelchair moving, Jay® showed the best average pressure, Roho® had a lower average for peak pressure and Varilite® provided a highest means for the contact area of the buttocks and thighs. Conclusions: The use of appropriate cushion is an effective measure in people with spinal cord injury. Implications for Rehabilitation Pressure injuries are a complication due to spinal cord injury. Study to compare the pressure distribution in the wheelchair seat of subjects with spinal cord injury is important to minimize the injuries resulting from pressure injuries. The comfort resulting from the use of the cushion suited to the demands of the subjects with spinal cord injury is fundamental for the process of rehabilitation and social participation of the people affected. Understanding and minimizing pressure points can contribute to the appropriate rehabilitation process.

Relationships between falls, age, independence, balance, physical activity, and upper limb function in elderly Brazilians

Abstract Background: Falls are the most serious and frequent household accidents occurring in the elderly; their prevention is important in decreasing morbidity, mortality, and medical costs. This study aimed to identify and correlate factors such as gender, level of independence in daily activities, balance, physical activity, and function of the upper limbs within the elderly population. Methods: This was a correlational and cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach. Forty-three elderly participants were selected from a Primary Health Care Unit in the city of São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil. Collection instruments included a questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale, the Functional Independence Measure, and the Box and Blocks Test. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation. Results: Most participants were women (46.5%) between 60 and 70 years old being 58% of the sample. The total number of falls for older women was 31. The number of falls increased proportionally with the increasing age of the participant (r = 0.41) (p = 0.0063). The greater the number of falls, the lower the performance in balance (r = −0.47) (p = 0.0015) and independence (r = −0.63) (p ≤ 0.0001). Conclusion: This study resulted in evidence that can strengthen the development of preventative strategies, focusing on physical activity and its importance in the prevention of falls.