Jenny Fleming

Patient centered goal-setting in a subacute rehabilitation setting

Purpose. The purpose of this research is to describe current practices in goal-setting within a subacute rehabilitation setting from the perspective of therapists representing the disciplines of occupational therapy, speech pathology and physiotherapy. Method. Qualitative semi-structured email interviews were conducted with therapists from the Geriatric Assessment and Rehabilitation Unit of an Australian hospital. Therapists were required to respond to questioning with reference to identified rehabilitation patients with stroke. Results. Three approaches to goal-setting were identified: therapist controlled, therapist led and patient centred. Goals aimed at the ICF levels of impairment and activity limitations were predominant. Barriers to a patient centered goal-setting approach largely outweighed facilitators. Potential successful resolutions were offered to overcome these barriers. Conclusions. The inability of patients to participate fully in the goal-setting process largely determines the approach taken by therapists. This influences the level of patient centeredness incorporated into the goal-setting process. Goals expressed at the level of impairment, by therapists, may be stepping stones to perceived patient goals at the levels of activity and participation. Barriers to a patient centered approach can be overcome through education of the patient and family regarding the nature of the injury and modification of communication between therapist and patient.

A metacognitive contextual intervention to enhance error awareness and functional outcome following traumatic brain injury: A single-case experimental design

Very few empirically validated interventions for improving metacognitive skills (i.e., self-awareness and self-regulation) and functional outcomes have been reported. This single-case experimental study presents JM, a 36-year-old man with a very severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who demonstrated long-term awareness deficits. Treatment at four years post-injury involved a metacognitive contextual intervention based on a conceptualization of neuro-cognitive, psychological, and socio-environmental factors contributing to his awareness deficits. The 16-week intervention targeted error awareness and self-correction in two real life settings: (a) cooking at home; and (b) volunteer work. Outcome measures included behavioral observation of error behavior and standardized awareness measures. Relative to baseline performance in the cooking setting, JM demonstrated a 44% reduction in error frequency and increased self-correction. Although no spontaneous generalization was evident in the volunteer work setting, specific training in this environment led to a 39% decrease in errors. JM later gained paid employment and received brief metacognitive training in his work environment. JMs global self-knowledge of deficits assessed by self-report was unchanged after the program. Overall, the study provides preliminary support for a metacognitive contextual approach to improve error awareness and functional outcome in real life settings.

Awareness typologies, long-term emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes following acquired brain injury

Previous research suggests considerable heterogeneity within groups of individuals identified as having low self-awareness or good self-awareness following acquired brain injury (ABI). The present study aimed to identify typologies of individuals according to neuropsychological and psychological factors related to awareness deficits and compare emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes at the initial assessment and 12-month follow-up. Eighty-four participants with ABI (mean time since injury = 3.9 years) were assessed on the Self-Awareness of Deficits Interview, Awareness Questionnaire, Symptom Expectancy Checklist, Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale, Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, Sydney Psychosocial Reintegration Scale, and an error self-regulation index. A 12-month follow-up assessment of emotional adjustment and psychosocial outcomes was conducted. A hierarchical cluster analysis distinguished four awareness typologies, namely, “poor self-awareness” (n = 12), “high defensiveness” (n = 13), “high symptom reporting” (n = 15), and “good self-awareness” (n = 44). An overall comparison of outcomes indicated that the poor self-awareness and high symptom reporting typologies experienced poorer outcomes than the high defensiveness and good self-awareness typologies. The findings confirm that there are different awareness typologies and highlight the need to tailor interventions according to the nature of awareness deficits.

Dynamic Splinting for the Stiff Hand after Trauma: Predictors of Contracture Resolution

STUDY DESIGN Prospective cohort. INTRODUCTION Many variables are believed to influence the success of dynamic splinting, yet their relationship with contracture resolution is unclear. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To identify the predictors of outcome with dynamic splinting of the stiff hand after trauma. METHODS Forty-six participants (56 joints) completed eight weeks of dynamic splinting, and the relationship between 13 clinical variables and outcome was explored. RESULTS Improvement in passive range of motion, active range of motion (AROM), and torque range of motion averaged 21.8°, 20.0°, and 13.0°, respectively (average daily total end range time, 7.96 hours). Significant predictors included joint stiffness (modified Weeks Test), time since injury, diagnosis, and deficit (flexion/extension). For every degree change in ROM on the modified Weeks Test, AROM improved 1.09° (standard error, 0.2). Test-retest reliability of the modified Weeks Test was high (intraclass correlation coefficient [2, 1]=0.78). CONCLUSIONS Better progress with dynamic splinting may be expected in joints with less pretreatment stiffness, shorter time since injury (<12 weeks), and in flexion rather than extension deficits. Further research is needed to determine the accuracy with which the modified Weeks Test may predict contracture resolution. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2b.

The long-term relationship between duration of treatment and contracture resolution using dynamic orthotic devices for the stiff proximal interphalangeal joint: A prospective cohort study

STUDY DESIGN Descriptive design with a prospective cohort. INTRODUCTION Little is known about the long-term relationship between the duration of treatment using dynamic orthoses (splints), and contracture resolution in the stiff proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To examine the long-term relationship between weeks of treatment using dynamic orthoses and contracture resolution, in both flexion and extension deficits of the PIP joint. METHODS Forty-one participants were treated with a dynamic orthotic device (splint) for either a flexion or extension deficit of the PIP joint (n=48 joints). The relationship between contracture resolution and weeks of treatment was examined controlling for baseline range of motion (ROM), weekly total end range time, pretreatment joint stiffness, time since injury, and diagnosis. Outcome was measured via change in torque and active ROM. RESULTS Outcome with orthotic use was significantly associated with the weeks of treatment (p<0.001). ROM increased in a linear fashion although faster progress was observed when treatment was aimed at improving flexion rather than extension. Flexion deficits appeared to maximize gains with orthotic treatment after 12 weeks. However, extension deficits continued to demonstrate slow and continuous improvement beyond the 17 weeks of recorded data. Less treatment duration (in weeks) was needed to restore flexion than extension. CONCLUSIONS The duration of orthotic use (weeks of treatment) is significantly associated with the extent of contracture resolution. Slower recovery of ROM and a longer duration of orthotic use may be expected when the treatment goal is to improve extension rather than flexion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2b.

Which Splint? Dynamic versus Static Progressive Splinting to Mobilise Stiff Joints in the Hand

Mobilising splinting is a common tool used by hand therapists to improve movement in stiff joints, by holding them at the end of available range of motion (ROM) under light tension, for extended periods of time. Both dynamic and static progressive splints are classified as mobilising splints. Many clinicians believe that static progressive splints are more effective than dynamic splints for improving ROM in particularly stiff joints. This paper reviews the limited available research evidence behind the assumptions that currently guide splint choice in clinical practice. Joint stiffness theory and the visco-elastic nature of the soft tissue response to stress are also revised. A rationale for the use of dynamic splints in preference to static progressive splints to mobilise the chronically stiff joint is presented. The need for further research, ideally in the form of a randomised controlled clinical trial, is highlighted.

Clinical Utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

Introduction: Collaborative goal setting is an important part of the occupational therapy process in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. Little is known about the clinical utility of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) with this population, although it has potential advantages over informal methods of goal setting commonly used in a spinal injury unit (SIU). The aim of this study was to investigate the goal setting process and clinical utility of the COPM from the perspective of occupational therapists within a SIU. Method: A focus group was conducted with six occupational therapists working in a SIU to explore their experiences and use of goal setting and the COPM. Inductive thematic analysis identified key themes from their comments. Findings: Focus group themes were the impact of client adjustment and other factors, organisational and administrative factors, therapist skill level and experience requirements, benefits of the COPM and incorporating the COPM into practice. Conclusion: Formal goal setting was a concept that was identified as a priority by the participants; however, there were organisational, client and therapist related factors that were considered as both barriers and facilitators to formal goal setting and the use of the COPM in this setting.

Development of an Educational Intervention for Cancer-Related Fatigue

Introduction: Fatigue is one of the most common and disabling symptoms experienced during cancer treatment. Educational interventions are used by health professionals, such as occupational therapists, to manage cancer-related fatigue; however, there is a lack of information about the content, format and effectiveness of educational interventions in managing fatigue. This paper presents the development and structure of CAN-FIT, a theoretically driven cancer-related fatigue educational intervention, and a preliminary study of the interventions feasibility and acceptability. Preliminary evaluation: The CAN-FIT programme was piloted with two groups with a total of nine radiotherapy patients. Patients completed a confidential evaluation form and were asked qualitative questions to provide feedback about the programme. The results of the preliminary study indicated that the intervention was acceptable to and feasible for participants. The participants reported that they received a high level of new information and skills from the education sessions and would recommend the sessions to others. Small modifications to programme components were made based on participant feedback. Conclusion: The CAN-FIT programme provided a feasible structured educational intervention for the management of cancer-related fatigue, which was acceptable to the participant sample. A randomised controlled trial is required to provide evidence of its effectiveness among the wider radiotherapy population.