British Journal of Occupational Therapy

Establishing inter-rater agreement and reliability ascertains that multiple raters consistently evaluate observed interventions to ensure that clinical research protocols are delivered as intended by the trial protocol.

Using the Guidelines for Reporting Reliability and Agreement Studies, we (a) exemplified the steps to establish inter-rater reliability and inter-rater agreement on the occupation-based coaching Video Evaluation Tool and (b) evaluated best practices that promoted high inter-rater reliability and inter-rater agreement between blinded raters prior to starting a pilot randomized controlled trial. The randomized controlled trial examined the preliminary effectiveness of occupation-based coaching via telehealth for rural families with children living with type 1 diabetes to improve family quality of life, participation, self-efficacy, and child health outcomes.

We created a library of 13 occupation-based coaching videos portraying a range of evaluations, scores, and ratings. The inter-rater agreement and reliability on the occupation-based coaching Video Evaluation Tool were established through the iterations of (a) blinded rater training, (b) data collection using the tool, and (c) statistical analysis using Cohen’s kappa and Cronbach’s alpha.

Occurrence and Non-Occurrence Checklist (κ = 0.881, p < 0.001); “Caregiver Talk” and “Interventionist Talk Analysis” (ICC = 0.991–0.999, p < 0.001); Evidence of Independent Capacity Rating (ICC = 0.867 p = 0.006).

Strong inter-rater reliability and inter-rater agreement was established by engaging two blinded raters through multifaceted training, integrating real-life clients and contexts into the instrumentation and training, and precisely defined rubric criteria. By employing such practices, high inter-rater reliability and agreement can be achieved in clinical research involving interventions and instruments that are highly subjective and individualized. To ascertain greater scientific confidence in the intervention effect, developing a multidomain fidelity framework and establishing high inter-rater agreement and reliability in the instruments a priori to implementation of clinical trials are necessary.

Enhancing self-compassion (SC) was found to enhance Quality of Life (QoL). There is a need to comprehend SC manifestations among adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who experience low QoL to provide a foundation for Recovery-based interventions aiming to enhance SC and QoL among adults with ADHD.

To explore SC manifestations and their relationships with ADHD symptoms and ADHD related QoL.

A cross-sectional survey used self-rated questionnaires for ADHD symptoms, QoL and SC among 32 adults with ADHD, recruited by a volunteer community sampling.

Moderate overall SC was noted. Negative SC means were found to be higher than the positive SC means. The positive SC subscale common humanity had the lowest mean while the negative SC subscale overidentification had the highest mean. Overall SC level was found to significantly contribute to ADHD symptoms in predicting QoL variance. Overidentification was found to be a significant partial mediator between ADHD symptoms and QoL.

Recovery-based interventions aiming to decrease the tendency of adults with ADHD to overidentify with their negative thoughts and feelings and to enhance their realization that their difficulties are shared by others, may have the potential to enhance SC and QoL.

Little is known about the use and aspects impacting the use of the activity chair, which is a device supporting seated activities in everyday life. The aim was to understand (a) purpose of provision, (b) frequency and magnitude of use, (c) barriers impacting use, (d) instruction provided and (e) overall satisfaction with the activity chair.

This is a cross-sectional study involving 141 adult activity chair users. Data were collected through telephone interviews using a study-specific questionnaire with 21 items. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise the quantitative results, and data-driven text analysis was conducted to analyse open-ended question responses.

Most respondents (87%) were provided the activity chair for kitchen work, 87% used the device on a daily basis, 75% used the device for additional activities beyond the provision purpose, 65% experienced barriers impacting use, instructions varied, with 28% receiving none and 16% had received activity-based training, 85% were satisfied with the activity chair.

The activity chair appears to be regularly utilised and appreciated by respondents. However, improved device provision, particularly concerning activity-based training in relevant context and systematic follow up, may be required to reduce barriers impacting use. Findings emphasise the importance of learning from users.

From occupational therapy perspective, this study investigates the nature and impact of Long COVID symptoms on individuals in Hong Kong according to their gender, age, and occupation and to understand their treatment needs

A total of 193 participants with an acute COVID-19 episode 3 months ago and having recovered from it who were experiencing subjective symptoms of Long COVID were recruited through snowball sampling from local COVID-19 support groups and healthcare facilities to participate in a cross-sectional design via an online survey assessing their symptoms and the impact on daily activities, and exploring their treatment preferences.

Respiratory, systemic, sleep, and cognitive symptoms were found to be the most prevalent, with significant variations in symptom severity and impact on daily life across different age and occupational status groups. The treatment preference was quite strongly inclined to traditional Chinese medicine.

This study has uncovered the critical and yet recognized roles of occupational therapy in managing Long COVID impact by identifying the potential gaps of occupational therapy in its management and calling for advocating promotion in the community and interdisciplinary collaboration with traditional Chinese medicine. Implications about occupational therapy management and the healthcare policies for tailoring treatment programs are discussed.

In the United Kingdom, ethnic minority mothers experience increased risk of mental illness compared to white women of British heritage. However, there is insufficient research to guide perinatal mental health occupational therapists to develop services that are accessible and meet the diverse needs of service users. This study explored perinatal mental health occupational therapists’ perceptions of the barriers and enablers to an inclusive service provision for ethnic minority mothers.

A qualitative study was undertaken. Recruitment via social media used non-probability sampling. Semi-structured interviews collected data which were then analysed thematically.

Eight occupational therapist participated in the study. Three main themes were identified: observation of caseloads; experience of providing occupational therapy; influence of the therapist’s culture. Participants perceived stigma, fear, language and cultural perceptions created barriers for ethnic minority mothers.

Limited workforce diversity, ineffective mandatory training and insufficient referral to occupational therapy by other healthcare professionals were believed to negatively impact service delivery. Cultural experience and reflective practice were felt to enable inclusive practice. Recommendations to inform perinatal mental health occupational therapy practice in the United Kingdom and internationally include collaborations to gain a more diverse workforce, improved mandatory training and strategies to increase cultural sensitivity and competence.

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune disease with dry eyes and mouth and chronic pain, more frequent in middle-aged women. The aim of this study is to understand the impact of Sjögren’s disease on quality of life and occupational health.

Quantitative and qualitative comparative study, with 20 Sjögren’s disease and 25 healthy controls. Questionnaires and interviews were applied to assess occupational performance, quality of life, mood disorders, and sleep.

The combined major diagnostic parameters for Sjögren’s disease (focus score and anti-SSA/Ro positivity) were present in 85% of the Sjögren’s disease group. There was a correlation between the sicca symptom measured by the European League Against Rheumatism Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), anxiety, and depression measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; r = 0.56; p = 0.009), as well as fatigue measured by the Profile of fatigue and discomfort questionnaire (PROFAD) (r = 0.78; p < 0.0001). Sjögren’s disease patients reported a loss of physical abilities, sleep disturbance, change in mood, social and occupational participation, and lower quality of life.

Sjögren’s disease patients have poorer quality of life, loss of competencies, and sleep disturbances compared to controls. Novel strategies are necessary to improve occupational health in SjD.

Individuals with systemic sclerosis experience difficulties in perceived occupational performance and satisfaction in daily life activities, largely due to the various symptoms associated with the disease.

Twenty-nine individuals with systemic sclerosis participated in the study. Occupational performance and satisfaction levels were evaluated before and after the program were performed using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure. The self-management program, guided by the COPM activities, was tailored to the patients’ needs and informed by relevant literature. The program consisted of eight sessions over 8 weeks, with one 45-minute session per week.

A statistically significant increase was found in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure performance and satisfaction scores before and after the guided training (p < 0.001). Analysis of the occupation distributions revealed that self-care constituted 31.97%, productivity 45.90%, and leisure time 22.13%.

The self-management program delivered via telerehabilitation positively impacted the perceived occupational performance and satisfaction of individuals with systemic sclerosis. It is believed that self-management intervention can be effectively used to enhance the occupational performance and satisfaction of these individuals.