Occupation

Abstracts Thursday 30th June 2016
Thompson, S., and Kent, J. (2014). Healthy built environments
supporting everyday occupations: Current thinking in urban
planning. Journal of Occupational Science, 21(1), pp.25–41.
Keywords
Occupational therapists, Research, Occupational science
Contact E-mail Addresses
a.payne@derby.ac.uk
Author Biographies
I am a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy at the
University of Derby with a current expertise in communities
and occupation. I have just completed my MSc in Occupational
Science at Leeds Beckett University.
Session 54.1
Service user/carer education in neuroplastic
processes: implications for use in practice
Zurich L, Sheffield Hallam University
Introduction: The process of neuroplasticity is essential for
functional recovery following an acquired brain injury (ABI)
(Raskin 2011). Hourly rehabilitation sessions alone are often
not enough to lead to neuroplastic changes in the brain.
To maximise recovery following an ABI, service users must
practice activities outside of these sessions (Johansson 2011),
although the engagement and commitment required to
create positive neuroplastic changes during rehab is often
insufficient. In concordance with the national clinical guidelines
for professionals working in ABI rehabilitation, educational
intervention should be a part of routine practice. However, there
are no specific UK guidelines, standard clinical practice or current
research around educating service users or carers in neuroplastic
processes to provide understanding of their ABI and optimise
their recovery chances.
The aim of this study is to explore how, if and why occupational
therapists choose to discuss neuroplastic processes during the
rehabilitation process with service users with an ABI and their
carers. The study explores current practice, methods utilised
and examines viewpoints around such a provision to detail its
relevancy to neuro occupational therapy.
Methods: The study employed a positivist and post positivist
approach utilising an online survey that elicited mixed-methods
data. A purposive sample of UK occupational therapists
who work with people with an ABI were recruited through
the College of Occupational Therapists Specialist Section
Neurological Practice and third-sector and private brain injury
organisations. The data will be analysed using both SPSS and
thematic analysis.
Results: Initial findings confirm the overarching necessity for
standardising this educational provision. It is expected that the
results may help steer neuro care pathways and guide future
practice in OT providing significant implications for rehab
outcomes for the service user.
References
Johansson BB, (2011) Current Trends in Stroke Rehabilitation.
A Review with focus on Brain Plasticity. Acta Neurologica
Scandinavica, 123(3), 147–159.
Raskin SA, (2011) Neuroplasticity and rehabilitation. New York:
Guilford Press.
Keywords
Neurological practice, Research, Pathways or models of service
delivery, Practice – present and future
Contact E-mail Addresses
lucindazurich@gmail.com
Author Biographies
Lucy Zurich is an MSc Occupational Therapy student due to
qualify from Sheffield Hallam University in April 2016. She has
a BSc Hons degree Psychology and has worked in education
for several years. Lucy has a special interest in neuro OT and a
passion for ABI rehabilitation.
Session 54.2
What are the experiences of stroke survivors with
managing eating in the long-term?
Jones N 1,2 , Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust 1 ,
University of Sheffield 2
Background and aim: There are 1.2 million stroke survivors in
the UK (Stroke Association 2015). Stroke affects activities of
daily living such as eating. Little is known about how people
cope with eating difficulties in the long-term (Perry & McLaren
2003). The purpose of this research is to explore the complex
phenomenon of eating difficulties six months post stroke.
Methods: A Focus group (Krueger & Casey 2000) and
participatory design methods (Mattelmäki 2005) were used with
a purposive sample of 7 English stroke support group members.
Key themes associated with the eating experience were
identified using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke 2013).
Results: A spectrum of eating experiences was identified. Barriers
to managing eating include social, environmental, and emotional
issues. Recognizing self in doing and sustaining activities
despite impairment was important for well-being. Participants
demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness. The use of assistive
devices elicited a sense of mastery, achievement and improved
occupational performance.
Conclusions: Eating after stroke is a complex multi-faceted
phenomenon. Stroke survivors sought opportunities to
participate in occupations that revolved around eating. Eating
activities were used for rehabilitation and to self-monitor
recovery and rehabilitation. This research found a link between
participation in eating activities and a sense of mastery.
Participatory research methods are a useful to OT’s because they
explore real life experiences, in real life contexts.
Implications for OT and services users: OTs are well placed to
address the barriers to using assistive eating devices. This study
informs OT practice about how people living with stroke strive
to adapt to eating difficulties, fostering innovative thinking and
problem solving. It inspires future OT research into assistive
eating devices and describes how participatory research methods
are a useful to OT research.
References
Braun, V. & Clarke, V., 2013. Successful Qualitative Research
First. M. Carmichael, ed., London: Sages publications Ltd.
Krueger, R. & Casey, M.A., 2000. Focus Groups 3rd Edition: A
Practical Guide For Applied Research 3rd ed., Sage Publications,
inc.
Mattelmäki, T., 2005. Applying probes – from inspirational notes
to collaborative insights. CoDesign, 1(2), pp.83#8211102.
Perry, L. & McLaren, S., 2003. Coping and adaptation
at six months after stroke: Experiences with eating
disabilities. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 40(2),
pp.185#8211195.
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