Asthma and Participation: A Scoping Review.

Asthma is a widespread pediatric chronic disease, but there is limited understanding of its impact on participation (other than physical activity) and the conceptualization of participation. We conducted a scoping review to explore the evidence on the relationship between pediatric asthma and participation in several domains of occupation outlined in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 4th Edition. A structured literature search was implemented in PubMed/MEDLINE, Elsevier EMBASE, CINAHL, SCOPUS, Clarivate Web of Science Core Collection, and APA PsycINFO. Data were extracted by occupational domain and analyzed using a stoplight categorization. Of the 3444 identified articles, 10 met inclusion criteria, five of which were categorized as green (addressing specific occupational activities). No article explicitly defined participation. Asthma's influence on nonphysical activity occupations remains unclear. Future research must clarify both the meaning and measures that best capture participation, and further explore the relationship between asthma and participation.

Review of research on the impact of pediatric asthma on participation in occupation illuminates inconsistency in findings and meaning of participationWhy was the study done? Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases among children, but little is known on its relationship with children's participation in occupations. To date, most research on pediatric asthma has focused on physical activity and sports participation. Currently, there are no reviews published or underway that investigate pediatric asthma and participation. What did the researchers do? With the aim of exploring the research on the relationship between pediatric asthma and participation in occupations (organized into domains by the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework 4th Edition), the research team searched several major databases for articles on this subject. Given the varying definitions and uses of the term "participation," the research team constructed a definition based on existing research as well as a system to organize articles into three categories: red (nonspecific occupational activities), yellow (semi-specific occupational activities), and green (specific occupational activities). What did the researchers find? Of the 10 articles included in the review, three were categorized as red, two as yellow, and five as green. In the yellow and green articles, the occupational activities addressed fell into domains of education, play, leisure, and social participation. Results between studies were inconsistent. Activity limitations were frequently discussed in the context of physical activities, such as physical education, running during recess, and sports. None of the articles clearly defined and measured participation. What do the findings mean? These findings illuminate the lack of understanding around the relationship between pediatric asthma and participation beyond physical activities. There is need for consensus around the meaning of participation in order for occupational therapy to best promote it for their pediatric patients with asthma.

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Supporting Youth with Asthma: Therapist Perspectives.

Occupational therapists address physical environments, which can improve outcomes for youth with asthma, a prevalent chronic childhood illness. This study examines pediatric occupational therapists' perceptions of their role supporting youth with asthma, perceived usability of an occupational therapy asthma home assessment, and the impact of asthma on participation. A cross-sectional exploratory survey of 171 participants found that despite lack of tools for asthma trigger reduction assessment and intervention, therapists believe it is within their scope of practice and that they would benefit from an occupational therapy-based asthma tool. Occupational therapists should be members of multidisciplinary asthma teams, and assess and address environmental triggers.

Leveraging mHealth to Mitigate the Impact of COVID-19 in Black American Communities: Qualitative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 remains an ongoing public health crisis. Black Americans remain underrepresented among those vaccinated and overrepresented in both COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Medical misinformation, specifically related to COVID-19, has exacerbated the impact of the disease in Black American communities. Communication tools and strategies to build relationships and disseminate credible and trustworthy diagnostic and preventative health information are necessary to improve outcomes and equity for historically oppressed populations. OBJECTIVE: As the initial phase of a larger mixed methods project to develop, pilot, and evaluate a mobile health (mHealth) intervention among a population at high risk for COVID-19 and cardiovascular comorbidities, this study sought to explore COVID-19 information behavior among Black Americans. Specifically, this study examined (1) preferences for COVID-19 education via mHealth, (2) barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 education and diagnostic testing and routine care for associated cardiovascular and respiratory comorbidities in the local community, and (3) key content for inclusion in a COVID-19 mHealth app. METHODS: This qualitative study used principles of community-based participatory research and information systems research to conduct 7 focus groups across 3 sites. Focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis using an abductive approach. RESULTS: The study sample included 54 individuals across sites with a mean age of 50.24 (SD 11.76; range 20-71) years. Participants were primarily female (n=42, 78%) and Black (n=54, 100%) with varied education levels. Over half (n=29, 54%) of the participants were employed full-time, and nearly three-fourths (n=40, 74%) had household incomes