Effects of a visual perception-based occupational therapy program on reading and motor skills in children with developmental dyslexia: Single blind randomized cross-over study design.

This study aimed to examine the effects of a visual praxis-based occupational therapy (VPOT) program on reading and motor skills for children with developmental dyslexia (DD). Forty-two children were included in the study. Additionally, before VPOT, the Reading-Aloud and Reading-Comprehension Test 2 (ORSRC-2) and the Bruininks-Oseretsky Motor-Proficiency-Test-2-Brief Form (BOT2-BF) were applied to the participants. According to the study design, VPOT was applied to two sessions per week for 8 weeks to group A. During this period, group B was accepted as the control group. At the end of these 8 weeks, evaluation tests were applied to both groups. Then, group A was defined as the control group and Group B as the intervention group, and VPOT was applied to Group B. At the end of another 8 weeks, evaluation tests were applied to both groups for the third time. When the final ORSRC-2 results were examined, VPOT was found to be an effective program for improving reading skills. Additionally, when the final BOT2-BF results were examined, VPOT was determined to be effective in improving motor skills (p < 0.05). We believe that it is important to carry out comprehensive studies such as the VPOT program to solve problems in the physical and learning activities of children with DD.

The effect of CLOSER-computer-based exercise program in older adults with a history of falls: A pilot study.

CLOSER is a computer-based exercise program that aims to improve older adults' health, fitness and social lives. This pilot study aimed to examine the effect of CLOSER, the first computer-based exercise program developed for older adults on a national scale, on those with a history of falls. Forty-eight older adults (71.33 ± 7.47) with a history of falling at least once in the last year were included in the study. Older adults performed CLOSER exercises for (balance maintenance, neck rotation, rhythmic walking, knee flexion and trunk rotation) 2 sessions per week for eight weeks. All individuals were evaluated at baseline and the end of the eighth week. The primary outcome measures were the 30-s Chair-Stand Test (p = 0.002), the Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.002), the Falls Efficacy Scale International (p = 0.003), the Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.008) and the motivation level (p = 0.007) statistically significant improvements were observed. The results show that a CLOSER-computer-based exercise program effectively increases balance and reduces the risk and fear of falling. In the future, CLOSER could significantly contribute to the healthcare system as an alternative aid for home-based exercise.

The Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality-Based Intervention on Cognitive Functions in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a broad term for people at a stage between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia, where cognitive problems are present but do not impair activities of daily living. This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation program on cognitive functions in MCI. Materials and Methods: Sixty-one older adults (25 men, 36 women) with MCI were randomized to the intervention group (n = 30; 70.12 ± 2.57 years) or control (n = 31; 70.30 ± 2.73 years) group. The intervention group received a VR (computer-generated interactive environments) intervention in addition to a conventional cognitive rehabilitation (CR) intervention, whereas the control group received only the CR intervention. Cognitive functions were assessed in both groups before and after the 12-week interventions by using the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric. Results: Between-group comparisons revealed significantly greater improvements in orientation, visual-spatial perception, visuomotor organization, thinking operation, and attention/concentration functions in the VR group than in the control group (P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion: Our results showed that 12 weeks of VR-based rehabilitation enhanced cognitive functions in older adults with MCI. Using VR applications in CR is recommended to improve cognitive functions of older adults with MCI.

The impact of occupation-based problem-solving strategies training in women with breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: By identifying the occupations of women with breast cancer who have performance problems, to examine the impact of the application of occupation-based problem-solving strategies (OB-PSS) training on cancer-related fatigue, depression, and quality of life. METHODS: The study comprises 22 women outpatients in the clinic. Socio- demographic and Clinical Features Information Collection Form, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Core Quality of Life Questionnaire C-30 and BR23 (EORTC QOL-C30 - EORT QOL-BR23) tests have been applied to survivors. OB-PSS training was conducted on a face-to-face basis once a week for 6 weeks. RESULTS: When activity distribution results in accordance with the performance areas are studied, women with breast cancer were seen to suffer problems mostly in their most productive areas (housework management). As a means of solving these performance problems, they developed adaptive strategies like including additional new steps to these activities. Statistically meaningful results have been obtained between measurements before and after the treatment process through all tests (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: OB-PSS provides positive gains in women with breast cancer in terms of a reduction in the degree of cancer-related fatigue and depression, and a progress in performance and satisfaction levels particularly in activities where performance problems are experienced and an improvement in quality of life. OB-PSS training could be used as an appropriate rehabilitation approach for coping with problems in women' life with breast cancer.

Cross-cultural adaptation, reliability, and validity of the Turkish version of the Cancer Fatigue Scale in patients with breast cancer

Background/aim: The Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) was developed to evaluate the severity of fatigue in patients with breast cancer. The aim of this study is to translate and culturally adapt a Turkish version and investigate the validity and reliability of the CFS in Turkish patients with fatigue symptoms. Materials and methods: Eighty participants completed the Turkish version of the CFS for breast cancer and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire ″Core 30″ (EORTC QLQ-C30). Test-retest reliability was evaluated by repeating the CFS with a 7-day interval. Results: The CFS demonstrated high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95) and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.74) for all domains. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy was found to be 0.819, which is considered to be satisfactory (>0.5). Correlations between domains of CFS physical and EORTC physical (r: 0.77), CFS cognitive and EORTC cognitive (r: 0.70), and CFS physical and EORTC fatigue (r: 0.80) were found to be significant. Conclusion: The Turkish version of the CFS is a reliable and valid instrument to assess physical, effective, and cognitive dimensions of fatigue. The CFS may be used to evaluate the severity of fatigue in Turkish-speaking breast cancer patients.

Hydrotherapy for Rett syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The effects of hydrotherapy on an 11-year-old girl with stage III Rett syndrome were investigated. METHODS: The Halliwick method was used to apply hydrotherapy in a swimming pool twice a week for 8 weeks. The girl's physical abilities were assessed 3 times: before and 5 minutes after a single hydrotherapy session and after 8 weeks of hydrotherapy. The tests included analysis of stereotypical movements, functional hand use, hand skills, gait and balance, hyperactive behaviour, communication and social interaction. RESULTS: Immediately after hydrotherapy, stereotypical movements decreased and this decrease continued during the following 8 weeks. The girl's feeding activities and hand skills increased markedly. After 8 weeks of hydrotherapy, her walking balance was improved, interaction with her environment increased and hyperactive behaviour and anxiety decreased. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, after the application of hydrotherapy, stereotypical hand movements had decreased and purposeful hand functions and feeding skills increased in this case. Whether hydrotherapy has a positive effect on the functional use of the hand in Rett syndrome should be investigated using more subjects.

Comparison of different therapy approaches in children with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Children with Down syndrome have sensory integrative dysfunction as a result of limited sensory experience from lack of normal motor control. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of sensory integrative therapy alone, vestibular stimulation in addition to sensory integrative therapy and neurodevelopmental therapy, on children with Down syndrome. METHODS: The present study was carried out at the Occupational Therapy Unit, School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation of Hacettepe University. Forty-five children who were diagnosed as having Down syndrome by the Departments of Paediatric Neurology and Medical Genetics at Hacettepe University were assessed and randomly divided into three groups. Sensory integrative therapy was given to the first group (n=15), vestibular stimulation in addition sensory integrative therapy was given to the second group (n=15) and neurodevelopmental therapy was given to the third group (n=15). All children were evaluated with Ayres Southern California Sensory Integration Test, Pivot Prone Test, Gravitational Insecurity Test and Pegboard Test. The hypotonicity of extensor muscles, joint stability, automatic movement reactions and locomotor skills were tested. Treatment programs were 1.5 h per session, 3 days per week for 3 months. RESULTS: When these groups were compared, statistically significant differences were found in subjects' performance of balance on right foot-eyes open, pivot prone position-quality score and locomotor skills-front tests (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the other tests (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study showed that sensory integration, vestibular stimulation and neurodevelopmental therapy were effective in children with Down syndrome. It was concluded that when designing rehabilitation programs for children with Down syndrome, all treatment methods should be applied in combination, and should support each other according to the individual needs of the child.

An investigation of risk factors for fails in elderly people in a Turkish rest home: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this pilot study was to determine risk factors for falls, and investigate whether there was a difference in balance and gait between elderly persons with and without a history of falling. METHODS: 33 elderly persons (16 fallers and 17 non-fallers) living in the Seyranbaglari rest home in Ankara were included in this study. A questionnaire and a mental test were administered to the subjects in order to categorize them correctly as either fallers or non-fallers. Tinetti's performance oriented assessment balance and gait, the Abbreviated Mental State Test (AMST), and the Modified Barthel Index were performed. In addition, risk factors were investigated. RESULTS: The fallers (F) group had more impaired balance and mobility than the non-fallers (NF) group (p<0.05). The F group had more risk factors (postural hypotension, decreased knee strength, hearing problems, lower limb in-coordination, upper limb disability and foot problems) than the NF group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our pilot study showed that balance, gait and other risk factors may contribute to falls in the elderly. It is pointed out that functional balance and gait together with risk factors must be addressed and evaluated in detail in faller subjects.

The effect of hand splints on stereotypic hand behavior in Rett's syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of hand splints and one elbow restraint on persistent stereotypic hand movements of four girls with Rett's syndrome. Among the most characteristic features of Rett's syndrome are stereotypic hand wringing and loss of previously acquired functional hand skills. Hand splints and one elbow restraint were used in this study. The subject's stereotypic hand behavior and functional hand use were calculated from five-minute segmental video tape recordings. The study consisted of three phases: baseline, intervention, and withdrawal. All subjects demonstrated a decrease in stereotypic hand behavior after the application of hand splints. Although splints showed a positive effect on hand movements in Rett's syndrome, they could also lead to other, undesirable, movements. Whether splints have a positive effect on the functional use of the hand should be investigated in more subjects.