WORK: A Journal of Prevention,Assessment & Rehabilitation

The Demand-Control Questionnaire (DCQ), a 20-item scale that measures psychological work demands, job control and workplace social support, has frequently been used to assess occupational stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the test-retest reliability and internal consistency of the DCQ with sewing machine operators. Forty-six sewing machine operators completed the DCQ on two occasions with an 11-week time interval. A repeated measures analysis of variance model and subsequent application of generalizability theory were used to calculate the test-retest reliability of the subjects' ratings on the DCQ. Cronbach's alpha was used to determine the internal consistency of the scale. The test-retest reliability was 0.33 (95% interval $=$ 0.05--0.61), indicating fair reliability. Good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha $=$ 0.70) was found. The DCQ appears to be a reliable measure for assessing occupational stress in sewing machine operators. Workplaces need to place greater emphasis on the role of occupational stress in the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries among sewing machine operators.

This qualitative study examined the experiences of people with disabilities who use assistive technology in open employment. This study aims to describe and understand the factors the participants perceived as important in integrating technology into the workplace, as well as the barriers encountered in the process. Fifteen people with a range of acquired and congenital disabilities as well as their employers (8) or co-workers (4) were interviewed. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Nud*ist Version 4(R) was used for data management. Emergent themes related to the integration of assistive technology were software compatibility, Information Technology (IT) and product support, and the interaction between technology and the work environment. Participants also reported on the impact of technology on their performance and comfort at work, as well as dealing with people and processes in the workplace. By identifying the issues and support strategies for technology users in the workplace, appropriate measures can be implemented to ensure that the spirit of disability discrimination legislation is realized.

This paper presents the results of a telephone survey of workers' compensation carriers, addressing how occupational therapy work programs can best meet these carriers' needs. Fifty percent of the market share of workers' compensation carriers in Michigan participated in the survey. Survey results indicated that workers' compensation carriers found Functional Capacity Evaluations, job analyses, and work hardening to be important work rehabilitation services. A significant portion of the respondents (88%) that they recognized the need for clinically successful work rehabilitation programs and indicated that if they had return to work rates for different providers, they would utilize providers that had the most successful outcome data in a specific geographical area. Occupational therapists can use these survey results to improve their services and communication with insurance to ensure that injured workers will continue to have access to the efficacious interventions occupational therapists provide in work rehabilitation.

Much has been done to identify psychosocial factors influencing risk of vocational injury and prolonged disability. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the ability of injured workers to return to their prior worker role through the identification of the influencing psychosocial perceptions. Psychosocial perceptions may assist in the identification of negative or counterproductive factors that hinder the rehabilitative process. Identifying perceptions are individual centered and focused on the views of injured workers as they proceed through the transition in life following injury. Occupational therapists play a key role in the rehabilitative process of injured workers through enhancing the person-job-environment fit [4].

{\it Objective:} This exploratory research aimed to identify the perceived physical demands of library assistants' and attendants' work tasks.

{\it Study design:} A fixed format survey was completed by 36 library assistants and attendants from suburban and university libraries. Surveys were distributed and completed within the participants' workplaces. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's r correlations were calculated using the SPSS data analysis program.

{\it Results:} Data analysis revealed a hierarchical distribution of library assistants' and attendants' work tasks according to perceived physical demands. Significant Pearson's r correlations between personal factors and perceived exertion during some work tasks, were also identified.

{\it Conclusions:} The hierarchical distribution of tasks revealed by this research can be used as a guide by therapists in designing graded suitable duties programs for library assistants and attendants following work-related injuries. Further task analysis is required to identify the critical physical requirements of those tasks receiving higher ratings of perceived exertion.

{\it Purpose:} The purpose of this research was to determine if standing dynamic balance was affected by carrying a backpack.

{\it Subjects:} Data was obtained from 50 healthy college students.

{\it Materials and methods:} Limits of stability was assessed using the Smart Equitest Balance Master System(R). Reaction time, movement velocity, end point excursion, maximum excursion, and directional control were measured to evaluate movement, with and without a loaded backpack.

{\it Data analysis:} Reliability was established using an Intra-Class Correlation Coefficient (2,1). MANOVA was utilized to analyze the effect of the backpack.

{\it Summary data:} Movement velocity significantly decreased during backpack loaded trials ( $p=0.004$ ). Directional control was significantly different with respect to direction ( $p=0.006$ ). No significant difference in reaction time, maximum excursion, or end point excursion was observed with backpack loading ( $p=0.10-0.93$ ).

{\it Conclusion:} This study concludes that backpack load carrying has an effect on movement velocity and directional control.

The purpose of this article is to identify the contexts for service that are useful for the professional development of university faculty as well as to suggest a model for delivering the work that is part of this type of professional development. The article accomplishes this goal by examining contexts for service, related activities and transformable skills. The model suggested for developing and implementing service activities consists of three components: 1) an initiating force, 2) ways for testing and sharing ideas, and 3) proposed solutions.

Vocational rehabilitation is a method by which people with disabilities are able to learn skills and receive supports that are necessary to take part in work activities. Vocational rehabilitation interventions can be used in a wide variety of settings with many different populations of people with disabilities, including those with schizophrenia. However, there is little available research to help guide clinicians to identify which vocational rehabilitation intervention methods may be the most effective for their clients.

{\it Objectives:} The purpose of this paper is to identify what is the best practice for obtaining and maintaining participation in work activities for people with schizophrenia.

{\it Study design:} This paper reviewed sixteen previously conducted studies (seven specific solely to schizophrenia) to identify which vocational rehabilitation method is the best practice to aid those with schizophrenia to obtain and maintain participation in work activities.

{\it Results:} The reviewed literature suggests that there are a variety of vocational rehabilitation intervention methods that may be effective treatment interventions. The effective interventions were those programs that had a client-centered approach and enabled the client to play an active role in his/her vocational rehabilitation.

{\it Conclusion:} With this study review, clinicians will be able to examine a variety of successful client-centered vocational rehabilitation methods that may aid in helping their clients with schizophrenia to obtain and maintain participation in work activities.

The article examines reliability as a key component of the psychometric properties of tests and inventories. What is reliability, types of reliability, why is reliability important, and other reliability issues are addressed in a manner that will help {\it Work} readers to better understand and apply psychometric considerations in the context of rehabilitation research. The authors contend that reliability is an essential condition for the psychometric soundness of measurement instruments that are used in rehabilitation research and practice.

This is the first in a series of three articles that examine the role that literature reviews play in rehabilitation research. The authors briefly describe the nature of narrative literature reviews, provides examples and descriptions of narrative literature reviews from the contemporary rehabilitation literature, and examines the limitations of these types of reviews in terms of modifying the prevailing status of knowledge in a particular research area.

Increased accountability and more encompassing accreditation standards have heightened interest in the role that evaluation research plays in improving the quality of life and independence for people with disabilities. The field of Program Evaluation is a valuable resource for conducting studies that meet the standards and information needs in the field of rehabilitation. This article describes the nature of evaluation research and illustrates its contribution to contemporary rehabilitation practice.