Activities of Daily Living

The beneficial effect of exercise training and exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation on symptom-free exercise capacity,cardiovascular and skeletal muscle function, quality of life, general healthy lifestyle, and reduction of depressive symptoms and psychosocial stress is nowadays well recognized. However, it remains largely obscure, which characteristics of physical activity (PA) and exercise training--frequency, intensity, time (duration), type (mode), and volume (dose: intensity x duration) of exercise--are the most effective. The present paper, therefore, will deal with these exercise characteristics in the management of individuals with cardiovascular disease, i.e. coronary artery disease and chronic heart failure patients, but also in patients with congenital or valvular heart disease. Based on the current literature, and if sufficient evidence is available, recommendations from the European Association on Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation are formulated regarding fr...

A multicenter, 2-visit, open-label, 4-week study was conducted to determine the acceptability of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts in adult patients with a history of dry eye syndrome (DES). At visit 1, patients (N = 520) were evaluated, screened by slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and completed the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), a validated measure of quality of life. Patients were trained in the proper placement and use of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts and were contacted by telephone on day 3 of the study. At week 4, patients were given a clinical evaluation and completed a second questionnaire. Answers determined changes in symptoms and quality of life. Adverse events were monitored throughout the study. Four hundred eighteen patients completed the study and reported significant improvements in discomfort, burning, dryness, grittiness, stinging, and light sensitivity (P = .05) after 4 weeks use of hydroxypropyl cellulose ophthalmic inserts. Significant improve...

The Mongol Zoominar presents:

Daily Life in the Mongol Empire
with
Susanne Reichert (University of Michigan)
"A Day at Karakorum: The City and Its People"

Alicia Ventresca Miller (University of Michigan)
"Life in the Northern Realms of the Mongol Empire"

Organizer and Moderator: Qiao Yang (Max Planck Institute for the History of Science)

Friday, February 18, 2022, 15:30 (IST time, GMT+2)

For Details and link:
Jonathan Brack: brackjon@bgu.ac.il
Wonhee Cho: wonheecho@gmail.com

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experience of how sensory-related behaviors of children with autism affected family routines. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with four primary caregivers regarding the meaning and impact of their child’s sensory-related behaviors on family routines that occurred inside and outside the home. Findings indicated that sensory behaviors are one factor that limited family participation in work, family and leisure activities; and that parents employed specific strategies to manage individual and family routines in light of the child’s sensory-related behaviors. This information has important implications for professionals who work with families of children with autism to decrease caregiver stress and to increase life satisfaction for the child and family.

Background The interrater reliability of 2 new inpatient functional short-form measures, Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care (AM-PAC) “6-Clicks” basic mobility and daily activity scores, has yet to be established. Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the interrater reliability of AM-PAC “6-Clicks” measures. Design A prospective observational study was conducted. Methods Four pairs of physical therapists rated basic mobility and 4 pairs of occupational therapists rated daily activity of patients in 1 of 4 hospital services. One therapist in a pair was the primary therapist directing the assessment while the other therapist observed. Each therapist was unaware of the other's AM-PAC “6-Clicks” scores. Reliability was assessed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland-Altman plots, and weighted kappa. Results The ICCs for the overall reliability of basic mobility and daily activity were .849 (95% confidence interval [CI]=.784, .895) and .783 (95% CI=.696,...

BACKGROUND There is little information about Chilean elderly residents of long term care facilities, regarding their characteristics and need for resources. AIM To describe main characteristics and resource utilization of residents of one of the largest nursing homes in Chile, Fundación Las Rosas de Ayuda Fraterna. MATERIAL AND METHODS In a cross sectional and descriptive study, all residents were evaluated using the RUG T-18 method, that assess activities of daily living and the complexity of their clinical situation. RESULTS We assessed 1497 subjects 60 years old and over (73% women), with an age range of 60-106 years. Thirty six percent had urinary incontinence, 19% required assistance for feeding, and 38% needed help for walking or moving. Fifty seven percent were in the lowest category of complexity, "Institutionalization". Very few residents were in the most demanding categories, no one classified as "Rehabilitation", and only 0.7% were in "Special Car...

The instructional scheduling arrangements of simulated and community-based instruction across an equivalent set of functional and vocational skills were examined. Five secondary age students with moderate intellectual disabilities participated in four instructional scheduling arrangements measuring skill acquisition, generalization, and maintenance of functional tasks. The four instructional scheduling arrangements examined were simulated-only instruction (SOI), community-based instruction only (CBI), combination of SOI and CBI on consecutive school days (CCD), and combination of SOI and CBI on the same school day (CSD). The CSD schedule was significantly more effective for student acquisition performance than SOI, CBI, and CCD schedules. Although the CBI schedule resulted in the fewest number of instructional sessions for students to acquire the targeted skill, fewer sessions for skill generalization were required for students during the combined simulation and community instruction CSD schedule. Overall, both combined instructional scheduling arrangements (e.g., CCD, CSD) produced more efficient outcomes for generalization than SOI and CBI scheduling arrangements.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often presages development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We recently completed a cross-sectional study to test the hypothesis that a combination of a brief cognitive screening instrument (Mini-Cog) with a functional scale (Functional Activities Questionnaire; FAQ) would accurately identify individuals with MCI and undiagnosed dementia. The Mini-Cog consists of a clock drawing task and 3-item recall, and takes less than 5 minutes to administer. The FAQ is a 30-item questionnaire completed by an informant. In addition to the Mini-Cog and FAQ, a traditional cognitive test battery was administered, and two neurologists and a neuropsychologist determined a consensus diagnosis of Normal, MCI, or Dementia. A classification tree algorithm was used to pick optimal cutpoints, and, using these cutpoints, the combined Mini-Cog and FAQ (MC-FAQ) predicted the consensus diagnosis with an accuracy of 83% and a weighted kappa of 0.81. When the population was divide...

Active support, a package of procedures which includes activity planning, support planning and training on providing effective assistance, was introduced in five community residences serving 19 adults with severe intellectual disability following a multiple baseline design. The ...

The Independence through Community Access and Navigation (I-CAN) intervention was developed to increase community participation in adults with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) through identification of interest-based recreation activities and supported participation. Ten individuals consented to participate in a 10-week pilot intervention. Eight individuals participated in the intervention, during which time they worked with a recreational therapist to identify interest-based recreation activities, develop participation goals and coparticipate with the recreational therapist. At the end of the intervention, seven participants were involved in a semistructured interview to understand their perceptions of the intervention, including its outcomes and effectiveness. Therapists' notes and transcripts from the semistructured interviews were used to understand clients' perception of the intervention. Thematic analyses of seven exit interviews suggested the primary perceived outcomes of the intervention included: increased community involvement; development of planning skills; and the development of coping skills. These were facilitated by the therapeutic relationship between the client and therapist. This project provides preliminary support for the I-CAN as a participant-centered method for individuals with SSD to develop skills in the community. Implications for practice and future research are presented.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain poses a major burden on individuals and health care systems. Assessing its pervasive impact has broadened the horizon of treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MSK pain and its relationship with the health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a rural community. Individuals (>15 years) with MSK pain were identified by house–house survey from a population of 6,763 individuals. HRQL was assessed using the validated ‘Modified Indian HAQ (CRD – Pune)’, translated into regional language. Moderate and severe health assessment questionnaire disability index (HAQ-DI) scores were considered significant. Details regarding the impact of pain on their personal, family and social life were also studied. All individuals with MSK pain were evaluated clinically by a medical team and HAQ-DI was compared in different groups of disorders. Prevalence of MSK pain in the community (mean age, 52 ± 15.8 years) was 26.08% (95% CI 25.03–27.13). About 8% of the respondents reporting MSK pain had to stop work and 4% had chronic depression. A significant HAQ-DI was scored by 31% subjects. Level of education and intensity of work had significant associations with HRQL. Among the clinical diagnoses, non-specific MSK pain also scored a high HAQ-DI. MSK pain, both due to specific and non-specific disorders, showed an important impact on HRQL in this community study. Combined with ascertainment of risk factors and associations, this has implications on planning treatment and prevention. We plan to continue using HAQ in time to monitor the community.

These two studies extended previous research on the use of verbal instructions and support technology for helping persons with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease perform daily activities. Study I included seven participants who were to carry out one of two previously targeted activities (i.e., either coffee preparation or table setting). Study II included four participants who were to carry out two new activities (i.e., preparation of a fruit salad and of a vegetable salad). The effects of activity engagement on mood (i.e., indices of happiness) were assessed by recording the participants' behavior during the activity trials and parallel non-activity periods. The participants of Study I reached percentages of correct activity performance, which normally exceeded 85. Five of them also showed higher indices of happiness during the activity trials as opposed to the non-activity periods. Three of the participants of Study II reached high percentages of correct performance on both activities available. One of these participants also showed higher indices of happiness during the activity trials. The findings were discussed in relation to previous research outcomes and in terms of their practical implications for intervention programs.

To determine the prevalence rates of musculoskeletal disorders in an urban Vietnamese population. The Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Disease (COPCORD) Stage I study was carried out in 16 groups in the Trung Liet Commune, Dong Da District, Hanoi City, Vietnam. Phase 1: the WHO ILAR COPCORD Core Questionnaire was applied by primary health care workers to 2119 urban subjects aged 16 years and over. Phase 2: 276 positive responders who had musculoskeletal complaints were interviewed by nurses and examined one week later. Phase 3: 261 positive responders in phase II were examined by 3 rheumatologists and 38% of these subjects required radiographic and blood tests to classify rheumatic disease categories. The response rates were 94.4%, 86.2%, and 94.6% in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was 14.9%. The most common musculoskeletal complaints were knee pain 18.2%, low back pain 11.2%, and soft tissue disorder 15.4%. Functional dis...