ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate feasibility of recruitment, tablet use in intervention delivery, and use of self-report outcome measures and to analyze the effect of Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy versus Health Education interventions for individuals with heart failure-associated fatigue.METHODS: This feasibility study was a block-randomized controlled trial involving 23 adults, blinded to their group assignment, in a rural southern area in the United States. Individuals with heart failure and fatigue received the interventions for 6 weeks through videoconferencing or telephone. Participants were taught to solve their fatigue-related problems using energy conservation strategies and the process of Problem-Solving Therapy or educated about health-related topics.RESULTS: The recruitment rate was 23%. All participants completed the study participation according to their group assignment, except for one participant in the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group. Participants primarily used the tablet (n=21) rather than the phone (n=2). Self-report errors were noted on Activity Card Sort (n=23). Reported fatigue was significantly lower for both the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy (p=0.03, r=0.49) and Health Education (p=0.004, r=0.64) groups. The Health Education group reported significantly lower fatigue impact (p=0.019, r=0.48). Participation was significantly different in low-physical demand leisure activities (p=0.008; r=0.55) favoring the Energy Conservation plus Problem-Solving Therapy group.CONCLUSION: The recruitment and delivery of the interventions were feasible. Activity Card Sort may not be appropriate for this study population due to recall bias. The interventions warrant future research to reduce fatigue and decrease participation in sedentary activities (Clinical Trial Registration number: NCT03820674).
Subject(s)
Adult , Humans , Bias , Fatigue , Feasibility Studies , Health Education , Heart Failure , Heart , Leisure Activities , Occupational Therapy , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Rehabilitation , Telephone , United States , VideoconferencingABSTRACT
@#Objective To investigate the functioning of outpatients with chronic diseases. Methods 61 outpatients were investigated with the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHO-DAS 2.0) Chinese version. Results All the outpatients expressed slight barriers in fields of understanding and communicating, moving and getting around, self-care, interacting with other people, domestic responsibilities, and joining in community activities. The outpatients with musculoskeletal and cutaneous diseases were more difficult in interacting with other people than other patients (P<0.05). Conclusion There are slight barriers in the outpatients with chronic diseases in activities and participations, which may be various with the diseases.
ABSTRACT
@#Objective To compare the features of activity and participation difficulty of children with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability and autism. Methods 42 children with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability, and autism aged 3-6 years were evaluated with ICF-CY Questionnaire. Results There were mild barriers in the domains of learning and applying knowledge, communication, mobility, self-care, domestic life and major life areas, and the moderate barriers in the domains of general tasks and demands, interpersonal interactions and relations. There were more barriers in learning and applying knowledge in children with cerebral palsy and intellectual disability than those with autism. Conclusion There are various features in activity and participation difficulty in children with cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or autism, which required diversity of educational rehabilitation strategies.
ABSTRACT
@# Objective To explore the level of difficulty in the activity and participation among persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses in Hong Kong SAR. Methods A cross-sectional study with 954 subjects of disabilities and chronic illnesses based on the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule II (WHODAS 2.0). Results People with disabilities and chronic illnesses were facing moderate to severe level of difficulty in the activity and participation. Their most difficult aspects were found in the domestic responsibilities and social participation. Conclusion The Hong Kong SAR government should explore and adopt the Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework and take the elements of activity and participation into consideration for the planning and formulation of rehabilitation policies and services which in the long run, help safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities and chronic illnesses and realize the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Given the importance of physical activity to health, this study investigated the socio-demographic determinants of physical activity participation in a sample of adults in Penang. Methods: Through convenience sampling, a total of 398 adults agreed to answer a prepared questionnaire on their socio-demographic background and physical activity participation. The data were analysed using the binary logit model. Frequent physical activity participation is defined as taking part more than 11 times in leisure-time physical activity such as swimming and jogging, each time lasting more than 15 minutes in a typical month, whereas participation that is less than the frequency and time duration specified above is referred to as infrequent physical activity. Results: Age, male, being Chinese, high educational attainment, self-rated excellent health status and presence of family illnesses are positively associated with the likelihood of frequent participation in physical activity. On the contrary, being married, having low income and residing in rural areas are inversely related with the propensity of frequent physical activity participation. Conclusion: The majority in this sample of adults do not participate in physical activity frequently, and the reasons given include lack of health awareness, limited leisure time, budget constraints, and lack of sports amenities.
ABSTRACT
To date, numerous investigations have identified the role of exercise and physical activity in prevention and treatment of Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review paper analyzed epidemiological findings which investigated the effects of obesity, physical activity participation and the level of fitness levels on prevalence and risk factors of Type 2 diabetes and CVD. These studies showed that not only prevention of obesity, but also participation of physical activity and maintenance of good level of fitness are important to prevent and treat Type 2 diabetes and CVD. In addition, prevention of obesity and improvement of high fitness levels at early ages (childhood and adolescence) are important to prevent the prevalence and incidence of Type 2 diabetes and CVD.