Strategies for Empowering activities in Everyday life (SEE 1.0): study protocol for a feasibility study of an Internet-based occupational therapy intervention for people with stroke

Leveraging Emerging Technologies to Expand Accessibility and Improve Precision in Rehabilitation and Exercise for People with Disabilities

Physical rehabilitation and exercise training have emerged as promising solutions for improving health, restoring function, and preserving quality of life in populations that face disparate health challenges related to disability. Despite the immense potential for rehabilitation and exercise to help people with disabilities live longer, healthier, and more independent lives, people with disabilities can experience physical, psychosocial, environmental, and economic barriers that limit their ability to participate in rehabilitation, exercise, and other physical activities. Together, these barriers contribute to health inequities in people with disabilities, by disproportionately limiting their ability to participate in health-promoting physical activities, relative to people without disabilities. Therefore, there is great need for research and innovation focusing on the development of strategies to expand accessibility and promote participation in rehabilitation and exercise programs for people with disabilities. Here, we discuss how cutting-edge technologies related to telecommunications, wearables, virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing are providing new opportunities to improve accessibility in rehabilitation and exercise for people with disabilities. In addition, we highlight new frontiers in digital health technology and emerging lines of scientific research that will shape the future of precision care strategies for people with disabilities.

Occupational therapists' experiences of using a new internet-based intervention - a focus group study

BACKGROUND

Research is limited about how the introduction of new ways of delivering and conducting occupational therapy, in accordance with expected changes in health care, is experienced by occupational therapists (OTs).

AIM

To explore how OTs experienced use of a new internet-based intervention, 'Strategies for Empowering activities in Everyday life' (SEE), focusing on supporting client resources to manage an active everyday life after stroke.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A focus group study with periodical repeated discussion was designed. Four sessions during a period of 22 months were conducted with a total of four OTs.

RESULT

Overall, the results reflected that the OTs experienced that the use of SEE for persons with stroke was a valuable complement to existing rehabilitation. The process of introducing SEE included a multifaceted transition involving context, intervention process and delivery that renewed occupational therapy.

CONCLUSION

These results indicate how the use of new internet-based interventions such as SEE can influence and support renewal of occupational therapy that extends beyond the particular intervention. Continued research is needed to explore more aspects of SEE feasibility.

Self-initiated management strategies in digitalized work and everyday life - experiences of people with cognitive difficulties due to neurological disorders

Background: Digitalized work life can increase cognitive demands and influence people's everyday life. This can be challenging for people with cognitive difficulties, yet there is scarce knowledge of how they manage these. It is essential to learn how self-initiated management strategies can be a resource to support sustainable work and everyday life.Aim: To describe how people with cognitive difficulties due to neurological disorders experience their use of self-initiated strategies to manage digitalized work and other activities of everyday life.Material and Methods: Eleven employees in digital work with cognitive difficulties and neurological disorders participated in qualitative interviews supported by a dialogue support tool. Data were analyzed using content analysis.Results: A complexity of strategies was used to manage digital work and other activities. Based on how strategies were applied, three different profiles were found. These reflected efforts to manage situations in everyday life and how these influenced strategies applied and their importance.Conclusion: This knowledge can support people with cognitive difficulties and professionals to become aware of the potential of strategies and acknowledge a person's own management resources. Reflections on how to manage situations can give perspectives on prevention or vocational rehabilitation to facilitate a sustainable work life.

Optimising the development of sustainable internet-based occupational therapy interventions: Important key actions and perspectives to consider

BACKGROUND

By examining the health needs of the general population and utilising the potential of digitalisation as a driving force, new internet-based services need to be developed in occupational therapy. However, existing guidelines for the development of complex interventions provide scant information on how to develop internet-based interventions.

AIM

The aim of this paper is to share experiences and illustrate important key actions and new perspectives to consider during the innovation process of developing and designing an internet-based occupational therapy intervention.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

International guidelines for intervention development was reviewed to add important perspectives in the innovation process.

RESULTS

The illustration focuses on five key actions in the development phase to highlight new perspectives and questions important to consider when designing new internet-based occupational therapy interventions.

CONCLUSION

The new perspectives can complement existing guidelines to enhance the development of more effective and sustainable internet-based interventions.

SIGNIFICANCE

The illustration provided has potential to improve the sustainability in innovation processes of new internet-based occupational therapy interventions.