Does working style affect the occupational balance and life satisfaction of office workers in Turkey? A comparison study.

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19) has caused various effects, changing people's lives and work styles. During this period, workplaces decided to work remotely, so people spent more time at home. Therefore, workers' personal and work lives were negatively affected. OBJECTIVE: This study planned to compare traditional and remote office workers' occupational balance and life satisfaction in Turkey during COVID-19. METHODS: Google Survey was used for data collection. Three hundred office workers (18-65 years old) from Turkey participated in the study. The occupational balance and life satisfaction levels of participants were assessed using the Occupational Balance Questionnaire (QB-Quest) and Personal Well-being Index-Adult (PWI-A). RESULTS: Data collected were analyzed statistically by the Independent Sample t-test. It was found that the remote office workers had lower levels of occupational balance (p = 0.02; r = -3.317) and life satisfaction (p = 0.01; r = -2.199) compared to the traditional office workers. CONCLUSION: Remote office workers were found to have lower occupational balance and life satisfaction than traditional office workers. In this period, when the way of working changes like COVID-19, it is crucial to determine office workers' occupational balance and life satisfaction and take precautions for their job performance and satisfaction.

Adaptation and psychometric testing of the Turkish evaluation of daily activity questionnaire in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

PURPOSE: The aims were to translate the Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire (EDAQ) into Turkish, then test validity and reliability in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in Turkey. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Phase 1: The EDAQ was forward and backward translated, culturally adapted following cognitive debriefing interviews with participants with RA (n = 10) and finalized by an expert committee. Phase 2: Participants (n = 215) completed a questionnaire including the EDAQ, Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and Short-Form 36 v1 (SF-36v1). Two weeks later, the EDAQ was again completed for test-retest reliability (n = 82:38%). Internal construct validity was assessed using Rasch analysis. Internal consistency, concurrent validity, and test-retest reliability were assessed. RESULTS: Following cultural adaptation, one item was removed, and examples increased or changed. Cronbach's α values were 0.71 - 0.93 for all EDAQ domains, that is, acceptable to good. The EDAQ met Rasch model requirements for fit (excellent construct validity: p > 0.05). Concurrent validity was moderate to strong for most EDAQ domains with HAQ (rs 0.49-0.81) and SF-36-v1 Physical Function (rs 0.42-0.70). There was excellent test-retest reliability for all domains (ICC (2,1): 0.95-1.00). CONCLUSION: The Turkish EDAQ is a valid, reliable measure of daily activity ability for use in practice and research with Turkish speakers with RA.

The Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire provides a comprehensive evaluation of daily activity ability for people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases.The Turkish Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire is a valid, reliable patient-reported outcome measure in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, who considered it easy to complete.The Turkish Evaluation of Daily Activity Questionnaire is suitable for use in clinical practice and research to evaluate daily activity ability in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

The factors associated with school readiness: Sensory processing, motor, and visual perceptual skills, and executive functions in kindergarten children.

Many developmental skills are related to children's school readiness in the early years, and these skills are essential for later achievement. Some of these skills include sensory processing, motor and visual perceptual skills, and executive functions. To date, limited research has examined these skills associated with school readiness. This study investigated the relationship between sensory processing, motor and visual perceptual skills, and executive functions, and school readiness in kindergarten children. A total of 138 kindergarten children administered the Sensory Profile, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test 2- Brief Form, the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills-3, the Childhood Executive Functioning Inventory, and the Primary School Readiness Scale. The results showed that sensory processing, motor and visual perceptual skills, and executive functions were correlated with children's school readiness, and these skills were also highly predictive of children's school readiness (p < 0.05). It is necessary for future studies to consider these skills when assessing school readiness and to include strategies to develop these skills in intervention programs.

Exploring sensory processing abilities in adults with acquired hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the sensory processing abilities of adults with acquired hearing loss and determine whether their sensory processing patterns differ from those of the general population and adults with normal hearing. METHOD: The study evaluated the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with acquired hearing loss using the Adolescent/Adult Sensory Profile and compared them with the sensory processing functions of 30 adults with normal hearing. RESULTS: The results showed that individuals with hearing loss have a significantly higher sensitivity to stimuli related to motion, vision, activity and touch, exhibiting a low-registration sensory pattern and a sensation-avoiding pattern that differed from those of most individuals. CONCLUSION: Assessing sensory processing profiles can help identify specific sensory difficulties and inform individualised treatment plans. The study highlights the importance of considering sensory processing patterns in the management of hearing loss to improve overall well-being and quality of life for adults with hearing loss.

Examining the Sensory Processing Skills and Occupational Performance of People with Multiple Sclerosis.

This study aimed to compare sensory processing skills and occupational performance between participants with multiple sclerosis and healthy controls. Eighty participants were enrolled in this study, 40 with multiple sclerosis and 40 with healthy controls. Participants were between 18 and 65 years of age and asked to complete the Adult Sensory Profile, and Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The findings of the study revealed that participants with multiple sclerosis had a lower ability to register sensory input, a higher sensory sensitivity, and avoidance, as well as lower levels of performance and satisfaction in their daily occupations, compared to the healthy controls (p < 0.05). People with multiple sclerosis often experience difficulties with sensory processing and occupational performance in daily life. More research and practice are needed on the role of sensory processing and occupational performance in daily life in people with multiple sclerosis.

Joint Attention-Based Occupational Therapy Intervention in Preschoolers With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

IMPORTANCE: A viable occupational therapy program based on joint attention is needed to ensure that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) lead lives in which they interact socially. OBJECTIVE: To explore the benefit of a joint attention-based occupational therapy program offered simultaneously with the usual special education program (USEP) compared with USEP alone. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study, including pre-, post-, and follow-up testing. SETTING: Special education and rehabilitation center. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty children with ASD in the study group, M = 4.80 yr (SD = 0.78 yr), and the control group, M = 5.10 yr (SD = 0.73 yr), were included. INTERVENTION: All children received USEP (2 sessions/wk for 12 wk). Joint attention-based occupational therapy was applied to the study group in addition to USEP (3 sessions/wk for 12 wk). OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC), and Motor-Free Visual Perception Test-4 (MVPT-4) were implemented. RESULTS: The study group had a statistically and clinically significant improvement in SCQ, ABC, and MVPT-4 scores after the intervention (p < .001). The control group did not show statistically significant improvement in measurements (p > .05). The mean values of SCQ-Total, ABC-Total, and MVPT-4 variables measured at 3-mo follow-up were significantly different than preintervention (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Joint attention-based intervention, including a child-centered approach, can improve social communication, reduce ASD-related behaviors, and improve visual perception. What This Article Adds: This study emphasizes the importance of occupational therapy with a holistic perspective, based on joint attention, in terms of increasing the effectiveness of special education programs attended by children with ASD and reinforcing visual perception, communication, and positive behaviors in children with ASD.

Efficacy of Tele-CO-OP in Children With Organic Acidemia: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.

The objective of this study was to examine the efficacy of a 5-week, tele-CO-OP intervention in children with organic acidemia. Thirty-four children were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. While 17 received the home program, 17 received the CO-OP Approach with telehealth twice a week along with the home program. Children were assessed through the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation, Kid-KINDL Questionnaire, and Assistance to Participate Scale. Between-group analyses show significant benefits (p < .05) for the CO-OP group compared with the control group on the Performance and Satisfaction scales of the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, and on the total scores of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation, KINDL, and the Assistance to Participate Scale. The findings are preliminary results of benefits as this is the first trial, and the CO-OP approach applied through telerehabilitation had positive effects on children with organic acidemia.

Turkish Adaptation of the Executive Functions and Occupational Routines Scale: Validity and Reliability Among Children with Dyslexia.

The purpose of the present study was to provide a Turkish cultural adaptation (EFORTS-T) of the Executive Functions and Occupational Routines Scale (EFORTS) and to investigate its psychometric quality in children with dyslexia. We culturally adapted the original English version of this instrument with internationally suggested methods. Participants included the mothers of either randomly selected children with dyslexia (study group, n = 158) or age and sex-matched typically developing children (control group, n = 167). These participants completed a demographic form, the EFORTS-T, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Parent form (BRIEF-P). For internal consistency, the alpha coefficient of the new instrument was excellent (.93), and it showed satisfactory test-retest reliability over a 14-day interval (.91). The criterion-related validity between the EFORTS-T and the BRIEF-P was moderate (.73). Fit indices of the model supported its factor structure. In conclusion, our findings support the validity and reliability of the new Turkish version of EFORTS for evaluating EF and contributing to the daily occupational routines of children with dyslexia for Turkish respondents. Further studies are needed to apply this instrument to children of different age groups and psychiatric conditions.

Psychometric properties of Turkish version of the Life Participation of Parents Scale / Propriedades psicométricas da versão turca de Escala de Participação na Vida dos Pais

Abstract Introduction According to the holistic view of occupational therapy, it is known that caregiving for children with special needs affects their family in various ways. The life participation of parents with a child with special needs are related to the child, the therapy and child-parents adaptation. Therefore, during the caregiving/ occupational therapy process, there is a need for valid and reliable scales to evaluate the life of parents' participation. Objective The aim of this study was to adapt the Life Participation of Parents scale (LPP) into Turkish and to examine its psychometric properties. Methods LPP was culturally adapted via suggested by Beaton et al. One hundred-eighty-six parents of children with disabilities (Age range: 18-55 y/o,154 female) completed the LPP. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (EFA, CFA) was conducted to investigate the factor structure of Turkish version of LPP (LPP-T). Reliability was tested by internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Internal consistency of the instrument was given as Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was assessed by intraclass correlation coefficient. Results According to the EFA, it was determined that 11 items were collected in a single factor and factor load explained 40,816% of the total variance. According to the CFA, it was seen that the single-dimension scale structure consisting of 11 questions generally fit acceptable in this scale. The LPP-T demonstrated good internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha of 0.849 for the total scale. The test‐retest reliability was good (with ICC of 0.875). Conclusion The LPP-T had good internal consistency and test-retest reliability for parents of children with disabilities. This scale was adapted into Turkish to guide Turkish occupational therapists working in the field of pediatrics in planning interventions to support the life participation of parents.

Resumo Introdução De acordo com a visão holística da terapia ocupacional, sabe-se que o cuidado à criança com necessidades especiais afeta sua família de diversas formas. A participação na vida dos pais de um filho com necessidades especiais está relacionada com a criança, a terapia e a adaptação pais-filho. Portanto, durante o processo de cuidado/terapia ocupacional, há necessidade de escalas válidas e confiáveis para avaliar a participação dos pais em suas vidas. Objetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi adaptar a escala de Participação na Vida dos Pais (PVP) para o turco e examinar suas propriedades psicométricas. Métodos O PVP foi adaptado culturalmente via sugestão de Beaton et al. Cento e oitenta e seis pais de crianças com deficiência (Faixa etária: 18-55 anos, 154 mulheres) completaram o PVP. A análise fatorial exploratória e confirmatória (AFE, AFC) foi conduzida para investigar a estrutura fatorial do PVP. A confiabilidade foi testada pela consistência interna e confiabilidade teste-reteste. A consistência interna do instrumento foi dada como alfa de Cronbach. A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação intraclasse. Resultados De acordo com a AFE, foi determinado que 11 itens foram coletados em um único fator e a carga fatorial explicou 40,816% da variância total. De acordo com o AFC, observou-se que a estrutura da escala unidimensional composta por 11 questões geralmente se ajusta de forma aceitável nessa escala. O PVP demonstrou boa consistência interna, com alfa de Cronbach de 0,849 para a escala total. A confiabilidade teste-reteste foi boa (com ICC de 0,875). Conclusão A adaptação turca do PVP apresentou boa consistência interna e confiabilidade teste-reteste para pais de crianças com deficiência. Esta escala foi adaptada para o turco para orientar os terapeutas ocupacionais turcos que trabalham no campo da pediatria no planeamento de intervenções para apoiar a participação dos pais.

Effects of Occupational Therapy via Telerehabilitation on Occupational Balance, Well-Being, Intrinsic Motivation and Quality of Life in Syrian Refugee Children in COVID-19 Lockdown: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

We aimed to evaluate the effects of an occupational training program via telerehabilitation on well-being (WB), occupational balance (OB), intrinsic motivation (IM), and quality of life (QoL) in Syrian refugee children resettled in Turkey during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was a single-center, prospective, randomized, non-blinded trial in which children aged 13-15 years and attending a secondary school were recruited. OB, WB, IM, and QoL were evaluated via the OB Questionnaire (OBQ11), the Well-Star Scale (WSS), the IM Scale (IMS), and the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). The intervention group attended online occupational therapy classes. Online classes were carried out as five sessions per week, each session lasting 1 h, for 3 weeks. Questionnaires were performed at the outset of the study and following the training program. Overall, 52 refugee children were randomized into the intervention and control groups, each including 26 children. The mean OBQ11, WSS, IMS, and PedsQL scores significantly improved more in the intervention group than in the control group. This was the first study investigating the effects of a customized online training course on OB, WB, IM, and QoL in Syrian refugee children, also affected unfavorably by the COVID-19 lockdown. Our results showed significant improvements in all the study scales that we used to quantify the alterations in the aforementioned traits.

Validity and Reliability of the Turkish Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM-TR) for People with Multiple Sclerosis.

The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) is a generic questionnaire based on a semi-structured interview. We aimed to translate a Turkish version of the COPM (COPM-TR) and assess its reliability and validity. The COPM-TR was administered to 82 participants (42.2 ± 11.6 years and 32.9% of the participants were male) with multiple sclerosis (MS) for convergent validity and reliability analysis. The COPM-TR was administered with the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 (MSQoL-54), and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) to determine its convergent validity. Test-retest reliability (a week interval) was assessed by the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). There were moderately strong negative correlations between EDSS and performance and satisfaction score of COPM-TR. There were moderately strong positive correlations between MSQoL-54 physical and performance of COPM-TR and moderate positive correlations between MSQoL-54 physical and satisfaction of COPM-TR. Moderate positive correlations found between the MSQoL-54 mental and COPM-TR performance and satisfaction scores. Test re-test reliability of COPM-TR performance indicated excellent reliability. The current study demonstrates that the COPM-TR is a valid and reliable tool for measuring the perceived occupational performance and satisfaction of people with MS.

Comparison of Activity-Based Home Program and Cawthorne-Cooksey Exercises in Patients With Chronic Unilateral Peripheral Vestibular Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of an activity-based home program and an exercise-based home program on dizziness severity, balance, and independent level of daily life activities in patients with dizziness due to chronic unilateral peripheral vestibular disorders. DESIGN: A single-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: University dizziness management clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Individuals (N=75) between 18 and 65 years of age who had chronic unilateral peripheric vestibular disorders and vestibular rehabilitation indication. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly divided into 3 groups: an activity-based home program (group 1/activity group), an exercise-based home program (group 2/exercise group), and a control group (group 3). After an initial assessment, all groups participated in the patient education program. In addition, the activity-based home program was administered to the first group, while the Cawthorne-Cooksey home exercise program was administered to the second group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual analog scale (VAS), Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living Scale (VADL), and computerized dynamic posturography before and immediately after the treatment program. RESULTS: A statistically significant improvement was found in the activity and exercise groups in terms of VAS, VADL, Sensory Organization Test (SOT) 5, SOT 6, and SOT (composite) scores compared with the control group (P<.05). A statistically significant improvement was found in the activity group in terms of the instrumental subscale of VADL, SOT 5, SOT 6, and SOT (composite) scores compared with the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: The activity-based home program was more effective in improving the home management task, the occupational task, and balance than the exercise-based home treatment program in patients with chronic peripheral vestibular disorders.

Validity and reliability of the Turkish versions of Assessment of Children's Hand Skills and Children's Hand-Skills Ability Questionnaire in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of Children's Hand Skills (ACHS) and Children's Hand-Skills Ability Questionnaire (CHSQ) are interconnected hand skills assessment tools that together contain parent questionnaire and observational assessment. With this quality, ACHS and CHSQ enable the therapist to obtain information about the child's real-life performances as well as to conduct a clinical observational assessment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish versions of ACHS and CHSQ in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (HCP). METHODS: A total of 112 children with HCP between 2 and 12 years of age were included. All participants were subjected to ACHS, CHSQ, Shriners Hospital Upper Extremity Evaluation (SHUEE) and ABILHAND-Kids. Convergent construct validity was investigated through analysing the relationship between ACHS and SHUEE and between CHSQ and ABILHAND-Kids. Discriminative construct validity was investigated through analysing the differences between genders for CHSQ and ACHS. For reliability, test-retest interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and internal consistency Cronbach's alpha were calculated and analysed. RESULTS: ACHS showed very strong relationships with SHUEE's spontaneous functional analysis (r = 0.86) and grip-release function (r = 0.86) parameters with a strong relationship with positional dynamic analysis (r = 0.78). CHSQ's leisure (r = 0.80), school/education (r = 0.75) and activities of daily living (r = 0.76) domains showed strong relationships with the ABILHAND-Kids. There was no difference between genders for ACHS and all domains of CHSQ (p > 0.05). All domains and total score of ACHS and CHSQ had perfect test-retest reliability (ICC > 0.90). ACHS had perfect internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.98); CHSQ had very high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.84). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish versions of ACHS (ACHS-TR) and CHSQ (CHSQ-TR) are valid and reliable hand skills assessment tools in children with HCP.

The Bournemouth Questionnaire for Neck Pain: Cross-cultural Adaptation, Reliability, and Validity of the Turkish Version.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was first to translate and culturally adapt the BQN, and then to investigate the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the BQN in Turkish individuals with chronic neck pain. METHODS: The English version of the BQN was translated into Turkish with permission from its authors. That translation was assessed using 85 participants with a mean age of 46.75 years who had chronic neck pain. At the same time, the participants were assessed sociodemographically and with the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Neck Pain and Disability Scale (NPAD). A test-retest procedure was performed with 62 participants who underwent a second assessment with the BQN within 24 hours of the first assessment, to test its reliability. RESULTS: Internal consistency was strong and all Cronbach alpha values were between 0.97 and 0.99. The BQN showed high test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient ˃ 0.92) for all domains. The total mean (± standard deviation) scores for the 3 questionnaires were as follows: BQN, 30.9 (± 11.18); NPAD, 48.16 (± 12.93); NDI, 17.85 (± 6.29). The results of the Turkish version of the BQN illustrated adequate external construct validity and sensitivity. A Turkish translation of the test has not previously been available for chronic pain. CONCLUSION: The BQN was successfully translated and culturally adapted into Turkish. The reliability and validity were tested against the NPAD and the NDI. The Turkish version of the BQN is multidimensional, short, practical, and suitable for use with individuals with neck pain.

The clinical correlates of participation levels in people with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a huge impact on patients and affects their ability to participate in meaningful activities. OBJECTIVE: To identify motor and non-motor factors that are associated with the participation level in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), leisure, social and religious activities in people with MS. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 110 individuals with MS. The used outcome measures are: Arabic version of the Activity Card Sort, Berg Balance Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Nine Hole Peg Test, 6-Minute Walk Test, Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis, Stroop test and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. RESULTS: Hand function, balance, gender and cognitive status can predict the participation in IADL (R2 = 0.425, P < 0.0001); depression, age, and cognitive status can predict the participation in leisure activities (R2 = 0.372, P < 0.0001), and fatigue, balance and cognitive status can predict social activities participation (R2 = 0.492, P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Balance, cognition and fatigue affect the level of participation in instrumental activities of daily living, leisure, and religious and social activities.

The factors associated with community participation: Employment and education of people with disabilities in Turkey.

Background: People with disabilities are facing not just health problems; they also experience restriction of participation due to various barriers. However, there is limited knowledge of which factors can be important to their community participation.Aim: This study investigated the factors that are associated with community participation of people with disabilities.Methods: A sample of 270 people with disabilities (aged range 18-55 years) recruited randomly through the "Turkish People with Disabilities Association". This study, followed a survey design, took place in 15 cities in Turkey and a city of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Community Integration Questionnaire (CIQ), Functional Independence Measure, Measure of Quality of the Environment, Leisure Satisfaction Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Short-Form-12 were used. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship of the dependent variable (CIQ) with the factors.Results: The results indicated that the community participation was importantly associated with employment and educational status, functional level, quality of life and satisfaction from leisure activities (p < 0.05). Wheelchair users' participation level was lower than that of the other mobility groups (p < 0.05).Conclusions: The study provides a rich description of the multifaced nature of participation and its association with the factors such as employment, education, and leisure. Moreover, in terms of these factors and community participation, wheelchair users were the most disadvantaged group of people with disabilities at different mobility level.

The Measure of Quality of the Environments' Turkish Validity and Reliability.

The aim of this study was to translate the Measure of Quality of the Environment-Short Form (MQE-SF) into Turkish language and to evaluate the validity and reliability. The MQE-SF was culturally adapted via an internationally suggested method. A total of 185 volunteers with disabilities (age range = 18-55 y/o, 107 males; 78 females) from the Disabled People Association of Turkey completed the MQE-SF. To evaluate the MQE-SF's criterion/concurrent validity, the Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors (CHIEF) was also administered. Test-retest reliability was evaluated by administering MQE-SF to 85 participants a second time within 14 days of initial administration. The alpha coefficient measuring the internal consistency of the questionnaire were .84 and .83. The criterion-related validity was moderate between the MQE-SF Barriers and the CHIEF (r = -.46, p < .05). The questionnaire was moderately reliable in terms of the test-retest reliability (r = .69, .70 p < .05). The Turkish adaptation of the MQE-SF had good internal consistency and moderate criterion-related validity as well as test-retest reliability for people with disabilities.

An investigation of the factors affecting handwriting skill in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effects of sensory-perceptual-motor and cognitive functions on handwriting skill in primary-school children with left-hemiplegic cerebral palsy, compared with that of their healthy peers. METHODS: The study included 26 children aged 8-12 years with left hemiplegic cerebral palsy and 32 typically developing children of similar age with dominant right hand. The Minnesota Handwriting Assessment was used to evaluate handwriting skill. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency was used to assess motor performance. Cognitive function was assessed by the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment. The Ayres Southern California Sensory Integration Tests were used to assess visual perception, kinaesthesia and graphesthesia. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in sensory-perceptual-motor and cognitive function and handwriting skill (p < 0.05). There were also significant correlations between handwriting parameters and upper-extremity speed and dexterity, proprioception, bilateral coordination, visual and spatial perception and, visual-motor organisation in children with cerebral palsy (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results showed that left-hemiplegic children with cerebral palsy whose right sides were dominant were significantly less competent at handwriting than their right-dominant, healthy peers. It was found that the impairment in proprioception seen in the non-hemiplegic side in children with cerebral palsy, and also the impairment in bilateral coordination, speed and dexterity of the upper extremities, visual and spatial perception, visual-motor organization, and tactile-sensory impairments negatively affected their handwriting skills. In the treatment approaches for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy, comprehensive sensory-perceptual-motor assessments that involve both extremities must be performed in detail at the earliest possible stage, in order to minimize the existing problems with early-treatment policies. Developing the sensory-perceptual-motor and cognitive function of hemiplegic children would thus be possible, and they would be able to develop handwriting skill as a tool for their academic lives as healthy peers.

Cross cultural adaptation and reliability of the Turkish version of Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS).

OBJECTIVES: The Amputee Body Image Scale (ABIS) is a self assessed questionnaire with 20 items created to measure body image perception of amputees. The questions assess how an individual perceives and feels about his or her body experience. But no Turkish version is available. The aim of this study was to cross-culturally adapt the ABIS for use with Turkish speaking lower limb amputees and to determine reliability. METHODS: The sample consisted of 50 transtibial amputees. The mean age of the participants was 43.14, SD: 14.66. The ABIS has been filled by the patients for two times. RESULTS: Internal consistency of the ABIS was very high (Cronbach alpha 0.834 for test and 0.842 for retest). The test-retest reliability was excellent for the ABIS (ICC = 0.939, 95% CI 0.895-0.965). CONCLUSIONS: The Turkish version of the ABIS is a reliable instrument to assess body image in lower limb amputees.

The effects of pencil grip posture and different desk designs on handwriting performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different ergonomic desk designs and pencil grip patterns on handwriting performance in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy and healthy children. METHODS: Twenty-six children with left hemiplegic cerebral palsy and 32 typically developing children were included. The Minnesota Handwriting Assessment was used to evaluate handwriting abilities. Pencil grip posture was assessed with a 5-point rating system. Specifically designed adjustable desks and chairs were used. Four different desk types were used in this study: 1) regular desk; 2) regular desk with a 20 degrees inclination; 3) cutout desk; and 4) cutout desk with a 20 degrees inclination. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were found between both groups in terms of handwriting ability (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference regarding grip scores between children with cerebral palsy and healthy children (p > 0.05). We found that children with cerebral palsy had better performance using cutout desks in relation to rate and spacing parameters of handwriting (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results of our study demonstrated that the pencil grip patterns have no effect on the handwriting parameters in both children with cerebral palsy and healthy children. It is recommended that a cutout table be used to provide more upper extremity support in handwriting activities for students with cerebral palsy.