This study examined the usefulness of the Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) for manual dexterity in cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) patients. We investigated the relationship between PPT and other functional evaluations by evaluating the Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function, the 10-second test, grip strength, and the Japanese Orthopedic Association criteria for cervical myelopathy in 41 patients with CSM. In addition, the PPT cut-off value for manual dexterity was examined. A strong correlation was found between the PPT and other functional evaluations. The cut-off value for discriminating manual dexterity impairment was 25.5 (pieces), AUC=0.77, sensitivity=0.96, and specificity=0.56. PPT is considered to be a useful test for CSM that can be performed in a short time. In addition, although it is necessary to consider the false-positive rate for the cut-off value, the results suggest that it can be used as a screening test in CSM patients.

Interview data were analyzed according to a modified grounded theory approach to qualitatively clarify the process by which 10 late-elderly persons volunteering at a geriatric health services facility were able to continue their activities. 38 concepts, 14 subcategories, and 5 categories were generated. The activity continuation process was initiated according to the “background of activity initiation,” supported by an “environment that enables long-term activities,” through the interaction between “self-esteem that is enhanced by the volunteer role” and “enrichment of life through participation in activities,” as well as through a “selection of strategies for continuing activities in response to changes over time” that the individual volunteers and the organization showed from time to time.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the process of occupational therapists (OT) promoting independence in eating behaviors among older adults with dementia. Interviews were conducted with OT who experienced independent dietary behaviors, using a modified Grounded Theory approach specifically focused on Alzheimer's disease dementia. As a result, OT addressed older adults with dementia who had eating behavior issues by creating an environment conducive to eating that suited the individuals and promoting emotional stability. With these stabilizations in place, they engaged in initiatives to maximize the use of the individuals' capabilities. The study suggests that focusing on older adults with dementia, respecting their abilities, and adapting interactions to their needs can be factors contributing to independent eating behaviors.

We analyzed four children with autism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as “children”) using the Structural Construction Qualitative Research Method and the Steps for Coding and Theorization to examine the subjective sense of distress they experienced in their school life from the perspective of occupational dysfunction. As a result, the following occupational deprivations were generated: “environmental and behavioral restrictions due to school regulations” and “deprivation of experience due to social conditions”. Furthermore, there was occupational imbalance of both “time of work activity and sense of time” and “work and its meaning”. In addition, occupational alienations of “feeling helpless by comparing one's experience with others” and “feeling alienated in a group” were experienced. Finally, there was occupational marginalization in the form of “feeling unrecognized by others with whom they value interaction” and “sense of self-punishment due to negative experiences”. The role of occupational therapists was considered important to support children's performance of tasks in collaboration with the school as a whole.

This study investigated shifts in occupational therapy students' self-evaluation regarding their understanding and practice abilities related to higher brain dysfunction during clinical practice. The results indicated that students mainly experienced symptoms commonly addressed in clinical practice. Additionally, the overall self-evaluations of students in describing and coping with higher brain dysfunction evolved throughout their clinical practice exposure. Especially, students who experienced symptoms during their clinical experiences exhibited significantly higher self-evaluated understanding and practice abilities compared to those who never experienced such symptoms. Therefore, these results underscore the direct association with the improvement of students' practical skills for symptoms of higher brain dysfunction.

Recently, a new method has been devised for making temporary hand prostheses for amputated fingers using 3D technology. This report aimed to verify the fabrication method through comparing its practicality with a temporary training prosthesis made from thermoplastic resin. Subjects were 5 amputees of fingers who had previously completed treatment of an early prosthesis fitting method. The Simple Test for Evaluating Hand Function was performed by making the subjects wear temporary hand training prosthetics made with a 3D printer. The results indicated little difference in practicality between the two methods, but it was found to be necessary to change the work procedure to improve the decorative surface of the temporary hand prosthesis made with the 3D printer. Furthermore, a 3D printer is advantageous due to its limited burden on the patient. However, the disadvantage is the need to take measures in terms of maintaining and improving finger strength.

This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of the Management Tool for Daily Life Performance (MTDLP) using the Comprehensive Environmental Questionnaire for older adults (CEQ). The MTDLP was conducted using the CEQ from a community-living older person receiving home-visit rehabilitation through long-term care insurance. The CEQ enabled us to plan three agreed goals based on needs from an environmental perspective and to accomplish effective social adaptation programs. Consequently, all the agreed goals were achieved in three months, and self-efficacy, instrumental activities of daily living, and homebound status for the case were improved. The CEQ is effective in planning agreed goals from a holistic perspective, as well as enhancing the potential to deliver specific social adaptation programs.

A patient with mild right hemiplegia showed a reduction in the use of the affected arm in an hospital environment despite previously being able to use it. This was due to the patient's low self-efficacy, nervous personality, and reluctance to have others observe the use of the affected arm. To address this, the patient was encouraged to leave the hospital more often, and the use of the affected arm was monitored using inertial sensors to provide feedback. As a result of these behavior modifications, the patient's self-efficacy, arm function, and activity of the affected arm improved. After being discharged from the hospital, his affected arm activities improved further, approaching unaffected arm activities through continued behavior modifications during home-visit rehabilitation. For patients with mild right hemiplegia, it is important to address the psychological barriers related affected arm use. Changes in the environment (e.g. more frequent outings) and the use of feedback devices can improve self-efficacy and lead to better the use of the affected arm.

This single-case experimental study of client-centered occupational therapy intervention combining the interview-based Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) and a self-monitoring sheet was conducted on an outpatient with a right distal radius fracture. The goal was to enable the patient to perform cooking (as her meaningful occupation revealed by the COPM) with her affected hand. The effect of the intervention was assessed by comparing the number of times the patient was able to cook per week during the intervention period with the baseline period. The number of times the patient cooked per week significantly increased during the intervention period, and she was able to cook with her affected hand. Thus, occupational therapy practice combining the interview-based COPM and self-monitoring sheet may be effective for patients with distal radius fracture engaging in meaningful occupations with the affected hand.

This study investigated whether ingestion of ice slurry before exercise suppresses core temperature elevation in subjects with cervical spinal cord injury. This study used a single case study BCB′ design and included four subjects. The subjects consumed cooled drinking water or ice slurry before the start of exercise in each period and propelled a wheelchair for 10 minutes as exercise. Core temperature was measured by tympanic temperature immediately after the start of exercise and every minute. The tympanic temperatures obtained in each period were used to calculate the slope and determine the change in each period. The two subjects showed less increase in tympanic temperature during the ice slurry intake period than during the cooled drinking water intake period. Consumption of ice slurry before exercise may reduce the increase in core temperature during exercise.

[Objective] To implement a comprehensive approach through multidisciplinary collaboration for dementia patients with sleep disorders and verify the intervention effects through the visualization of daily rhythms. [Case] An elderly female in her 80s with Alzheimer's-type dementia presenting daytime sleep and nighttime awakenings, also diagnosed with orthopedic conditions. [Methods] We evaluated activity rhythms using synthetic period regression analysis and implemented three approaches to improve life rhythms. [Results] Both the diurnal and interday variability of the rhythm of life improved, with the subject's maximum value time during the day around 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. With improved arousal, the subject was able to urinate and defecate in the toilet during the day. [Conclusion] The life rhythms of dementia patients improved through three comprehensive approaches through multidisciplinary collaboration.

This is a report of an occupation-based intervention using non-standardized occupational performance analysis with children enrolled in a kindergarten. In this study, the children's occupational performance on the “Occupation” identified in the COPM was assessed using a non-standardized occupational performance analysis. In addition, the GAS was used in combination with the kindergarten teachers and others to share goals. As a result of identifying problems in the children's occupational performance and implementing measures from the perspectives of ‘person,’ ‘environment,’ and ‘occupation,’ improvements were found in the children's occupational performance, COPM, and GAS scores. Therefore, occupation-based interventions using non-standardized occupational performance analysis could lead to support which is tailored to the needs of kindergartens.