Cognitive assessment of post-stroke patients with and without aphasia: The Hebrew version of the Cognitive Assessment for Stroke Patients (CASP) vs. the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).

Cognitive screening assessments for neurological deficits are critical to the initial assessment of post-stroke patients. However, most measures are not designed for post-stroke patients and in particular not for people with aphasia (PWA), because they rely on language functions. The Cognitive Assessment for Stroke Patients (CASP) is a screening test that can also be administered to PWA, and was recently adapted into Hebrew. The current study aimed to compare the performance of post-stroke patients on the Hebrew versions of the CASP and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Forty medical records of post-stroke patients were retrospectively examined: Twenty participants without aphasia and 20 PWA. The data included demographics, total CASP and MoCA scores, and scores in specific cognitive domains. Correlations were found between total CASP and MoCA scores, for all participants as well as for each group separately. Comparisons between groups revealed significantly higher performance of the participants without aphasia on the MoCA, but not on the CASP. Clinically, these findings suggest that the Hebrew version of the CASP can be implemented as a formal cognitive screening test for post-stroke patients, including PWA. It can help identifying PWA's cognitive state and differentiate between language and cognitive impairments, hence, contributing in planning targeted treatment.

A broad perspective on breast cancer: Participation, quality of life and return to work throughout the recovery process.

BACKGROUND: Studies found that women with breast cancer struggle with significant physical and mental challenges that affect their participation in daily living, social and work activities. Although women express their need for rehabilitation, in Israel there has been scant research on the nature of these needs. OBJECTIVE: To examine the implications of breast cancer for Israeli women in terms of their quality of life, body function, activities and participation in all facets of life, including work. METHODS: The sample was composed of women diagnosed with breast cancer. The data were collected through: (a) an online electronic survey assessing cancer-related quality of life (QoL), function and disability, fatigue and sensory-motor functions, (n = 120) followed by (b) face-to-face interviews and assessments (n = 20), and a healthy control group (n = 61). RESULTS: Women with breast cancer reported significantly lower QoL compared to the healthy control group. They reported higher levels of disability in areas such as, cognition, mobility, upper extremity, as well as overall difficulties in self-care, doing routine household activities and return to work. Roughly one-third of the women did not return to work. Interestingly, our sample did not perceive a decline in terms of their social support or networks, the women stated that family and social support were major enabling factors. CONCLUSION: The results show that breast cancer has short and long-term functional effects on most facets of these women's life. The women's social support system served as an enabling factor. Many women expressed their frustration at the lack of rehabilitation services for their condition and needs in Israel.

Emotional Functioning and Sense of Hope as Contributors to Healthy Aging.

Cognitive and physical factors affect participation in later life. It is imperative to explore the contribution of emotional factors on older adults' participation and wellbeing. Seventy-eight older adults were recruited for this cross-sectional study and grouped based on their level of independence. Emotional functioning, hope, cognition, participation, and wellbeing were measured. Analyses of variance, correlational analysis, and prediction models were employed. Significant differences were found between independent and dependent older adults' participation and wellbeing, F(2, 72) = 12.71, p < .00, η2 = .26. Independent older adults' participation was predicted by cognition, ß = 0.40, and hope, ß = 0.58. Wellbeing was predicted by cognition, ß = 0.39, emotional status, ß = -0.46, and hope, ß = 0.36. Dependent older adults' wellbeing was predicted by emotional status, ß = -0.68, and hope, ß = 0.32. Occupational therapists play a key role in promoting healthy aging by incorporating psychosocial factors at the individual, community, and societal levels.

Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis: Validity of standard assessment tools of daily functioning and quality of life.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. INTRODUCTION: Stenosing flexor tenosynovitis (SFT) is a common hand disease, yet there is a lack of valid standard assessments for this population. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Validation of assessment for the evaluation of disability and quality of life related to SFT clinical severity. METHODS: Sixty five participants with SFT were matched to 71 controls. Participant's symptoms were graded using the Quinnell classification. Disability and quality of life were evaluated using the DASH and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaires. RESULTS: Small to moderate correlations were found between SFT grade and the DASH and WHOQOL-BREF. Both questionnaires differentiated between the first and third clinical grades and between SFT and healthy groups. DISCUSSION: Both questionnaires are useful tools to distinguish between participants with SFT and controls and between mild and severe clinical grades. CONCLUSION: The DASH and WHOQOL-BREF may be implemented in the clinical management and research of SFT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic III.

Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (DLOTCA-G): assessing change in cognitive performance.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the new Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (DLOTCA-G), a dynamic version of the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric Version (LOTCA-G), and examined the properties of the mediation system. METHOD: Participants included 61 clients hospitalized after stroke in three rehabilitation centers (mean age = 77.6 yr, standard deviation [SD] = 6.2) and 52 healthy control participants (mean age = 77.8 yr, SD = 6.4). All participants were assessed with the DLOTCA-G. RESULTS: Internal consistency reliability showed moderate to high α coefficient levels in all domains (αs = .68-.85) except the Memory domain (α = .26). Both groups benefitted from mediation, but the stroke clients needed more concrete levels of mediation (Levels 3-5). CONCLUSION: The addition of mediation to the LOTCA-G is effective in providing insights into clients' cognitive status and learning potential. Our findings are similar to the results of the validation study for the DLOTCA for adults and support the use and benefits of the dynamic version.

Dynamic Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment: evaluation of potential to change in cognitive performance.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the psychometric properties of the dynamic version of the Lowenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (DLOTCA) and examined the most frequent level of mediation used for planning for intervention. METHOD: Participants included 83 clients hospitalized after first stroke (mean age = 57.7, standard deviation = 8.33) and 45 healthy control participants. All were assessed with the DLOTCA after providing informed consent. RESULTS: Interrater reliability showed high correlations between all pairs of raters. Internal consistency reliability showed moderate to high αs (.602-.813) for all domains except Visual Perception. We found significant differences between the groups of participants before mediation; both benefited from mediation, showing moderate to high effect sizes. Stroke clients needed higher levels of mediation. CONCLUSION: The DLOTCA is effective in providing insight into whether participants need mediation and the level and type of assistance they require. The DLOTCA provides guidance for planning intervention for people with cognitive disabilities.

Quality of Life in School (QoLS) questionnaire: development and validity.

OBJECTIVE: We describe the development and examination of the construct validity of the Quality of Life in School (QoLS) questionnaire for elementary-age students. METHOD: The QoLS evolved through four phases in which we devised its items and examined its construct validity. Examination of the construct validity, of the final version of the QoLS included 353 students in third through sixth grades. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified four categories within the questionnaire's items: student-teacher relations, school and classroom physical environment, positive feelings toward school, and negative feelings toward school. Internal consistency indicated a high correlation among the items in each of the factors. In addition, third-grade students reported significantly higher perception of school quality of life (QOL) than their older peers. CONCLUSION. The QoLS may assist clinicians and educators in evaluating students' school Q0L from a multidimensional perspective, including the school's physical environment, which has received little attention.