Being in a meaningful context. Nature and animal-assisted activities as perceived by adults with autism

INTRODUCTION

Animal-assisted and nature-based interventions in psychosocial treatment for various groups of clients have been studied internationally. However, there is little knowledge about how young adults with autism experience participation in such types of interventions. This clinical study aimed to describe the feasibility of animal-assisted and nature-based activities on a farm as a complementary intervention for young adults with autism and social withdrawal.

METHODS

The participants were aged 18-30 years, diagnosed with autism and social withdrawal, with no organised occupation during the previous year. Eleven of 13 participants completed a 12-week intervention in small groups. They took part in interviews before and after, which focused on their current life situation and expectations about, and experiences of the intervention. The feasibility was described in terms of participants' characteristics, attendance, and their experiences of participating in the activity. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis.

CONSUMER AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

The intervention was formed in collaboration with participating supervisors, ordinary clinical staff, and a young woman with a user perspective.

FINDINGS

The level of feasibility was found to be high. The mean participation rate during the activity days was 75% and varied from 50 to 100%. The analysis of the participants' experiences from the activity generated three categories, "Being in a meaningful context", "Creating a comfort zone" and "Developing structure in everyday life", and each of these included sub-categories.

CONCLUSION

The main categories revealed a dynamic process based in meaningfulness, comfort and structure in everyday life. The positive experiences of undemanding activities, emotional relationships and non-verbal communication with the horses were prominent and might facilitate the development of social interaction. However, the intervention's timeframe of 12 weeks was experienced as too short for long-lasting change.

Is there any job for me? Qualitative exploration of support needs among young swedish adults with psychosis envisioning productive activities

BACKGROUND

Unemployment is high not only among people with mental illness, but also among young adults in general. The combination of having a severe mental illness and being young entails a particularly problematic situation for young people with psychosis. This study aimed to understand how this group envision their future possibilities for entering the labour market or engaging in other productive activities.

OBJECTIVE

To explore how young adults with psychosis perceive their possibilities, wishes and support needs for gaining employment or engaging in other productive activities.

METHODS

A descriptive design with qualitative individual in-depth interviews was used. Eighteen young adults with psychosis, aged 18-30 years, were interviewed. Data was analysed with qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Four categories based on the experiences of the participants as being vital for having work or other productive activities were generated: "Wishing for a role in the community", "Being my own coach", "Needing personal support" and "Having a supportive workplace". Each of them included sub-categories.

CONCLUSION

The young adults with psychosis were a long way from having paid work, but they desired to have a worker role in the community. They are a heterogeneous group, which entails that it is important that professionals and employers have a person-centered and holistic approach, listening to the individuals themselves.

Selfcare Strategies Shown to Be Useful in Daily Life for Adults Diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder - A Systematic Review

Adults with ADHD experience a wide range of difficulties in daily life, and RNs and other healthcare professionals need to know how to support them. The aim was to conduct a systematic review of which selfcare strategies adults with ADHD use and need in order to manage daily life. A literature review based on the PRISMA model was performed, and seven articles with a qualitative design were found. Data were analyzed with thematic analysis. The analysis generated one major theme Enabling ways to manage the consequences of disability in daily life based on three subthemes; Establishing ways of acting to help yourself, Finding encouraging and helping relationships, and Using external aids for managing daily life. Professionals may benefit from knowing about these selfcare strategies when meeting people with ADHD.

'Everything that's said comes from me': New fathers' experiences of individual conversations with the child health nurse

AIM

Swedish Child Health Services provide regular health surveillance of children 0-5 years and support to parents, with the aim to contribute to equitable child healthcare and to promote physical, emotional, and social health for children. Individual conversations with the child health nurse, including screening for postnatal depression, have been recommended and well implemented for mothers, whereas routines for a visit specifically for the nonbirthing parent vary and are not well studied. The aim of this study was therefore to explore how nonbirthing parents experienced individual conversations with their child health nurse, held 3 months after the birth of their child.

DESIGN

Qualitative interview study.

METHODS

Semistructured interviews were conducted with 16 fathers who had participated in individual conversations with a nurse at their child health centre, 3 months post-partum. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. The study adhered to the COREQ checklist for qualitative studies.

RESULTS

The findings are presented in three categories: 'Being invited into a supportive context', 'Talking about what was important' and 'Taking it home', each of them including three subcategories. The individual conversations, without the mother present, made the fathers feel important and allowed for a different type of content, tailored to their own needs. The conversations were validating and led to changes in daily routines with their child for some fathers.

Occupational performance issues in a longitudinal perspective in people with depression and/or anxiety on sick leave, returning to work or working

BACKGROUND

People with depression and anxiety disorder may experience occupational performance issues (OPIs). Further knowledge about these issues longitudinally and about potential differences between people is valuable.

AIM

To explore experienced OPIs longitudinally in a sample living with depression and/or anxiety disorder participating in occupational therapy and varying in terms of their work situation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The Canadian occupational performance measure (COPM) was completed by 54 participants with depression and/or anxiety at four measure-points from baseline to one-year after participation in occupational therapy. The participants constituted three groups: continuously on sick leave (SL), returned to work within a year and continuing working. Descriptive and non-parametric analysis was used.

RESULTS

Participants in all groups identified OPIs in all occupational areas in the COPM. All groups increased their occupational performance and satisfaction with their occupational performance in the area socialisation. Each group also made improvements in relation to other occupational areas, varying between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

OPIs and improvements were identified among the participants regardless of them being on SL, returning to work or working.

SIGNIFICANCE

The diverse nature of OPIs and improvements in the clients indicate the relevance of occupational therapy.

Quality of life, sense of coherence and occupational balance one year after an occupational therapy intervention for people with depression and anxiety disorders

BACKGROUND

Quality of life (QOL), sense of coherence (SOC) and occupational balance (OB) have been found to increase after rehabilitation among people living with depression and anxiety. However, these aspects have not been investigated over time in participants with different paid work situations, such as being on sick leave or not.

OBJECTIVE

To describe and compare the self-rated QOL, SOC and OB after participation in occupational therapy in three groups of people with depression and anxiety disorders based on their work situation during the study period: continuous sick leave, return to work and continuous work.

METHODS

Forty-seven women and seven men, 19-60 years old with depression and anxiety were followed over time. They completed questionnaires on QOL, SOC and OB on four occasions. Data were analyzed with non-parametric statistics.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences between the groups were identified. All groups improved in at least one of the studied areas over time: the sick leave group in OB; the return-to-work group in QOL and OB; and the Work group in QOL and SOC.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate variations in QOL, SOC and OB between people with different work situations over time after occupational therapy. Studies with larger samples are, however, warranted.

Outcomes of the Tree Theme Method versus regular occupational therapy: A longitudinal follow-up

INTRODUCTION

Depression and anxiety disorders affect individuals' everyday lives, and treatments that can help them to perform everyday occupations are needed. Occupational therapy for this group has been evaluated from a short-term perspective but not from a long-term perspective; further research is thus warranted. The aim of the study was to investigate the longitudinal outcomes of the Tree Theme Method (TTM) compared with care as usual, provided by occupational therapists, in terms of everyday occupations, psychological symptoms, and health-related aspects.

METHODS

This randomised controlled trial comprised a follow-up 3 and 12 months after an intervention. A total of 118 participants (19-64 years) with depression or anxiety disorders and problems with everyday occupations completed the base line questionnaires, 100 completed the follow-up at 3 months, and 84 completed the follow-up at 12 months. Imputations of missing data were performed using the last observation, and parametric analysis was used.

RESULTS

Both groups showed significant improvements (P value ≤ 0.01) in everyday occupations, psychological symptoms and health-related aspects after 3 and 12 months. No significant differences were found between the groups.

CONCLUSION

This study contributes with knowledge about the outcomes of occupational therapy for clients living with depression and anxiety disorders. Both TTM and care as usual lead to significant improvements over time concerning everyday occupations, psychological symptoms, and health-related aspects. The fact that both occupational therapy methods were associated with improvements for clients with depression and anxiety supports client-centredness in enabling an occupational therapist to choose the method best suited for the individual.

Work experiences, resources, and beliefs among vulnerable subgroups of mental health care users

BACKGROUND:

People with mental illness may have difficulties related to work and employment, especially if they experience additional difficult life situations.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore how subgroups with mental illness and additional adversities perceived their situation with respect to work and employment prospects.

METHODS:

Three subgroups were included, exposed to an additional difficult life situation: i) psychosis interrupting their career development at young age (n = 46), ii) having a history of substance use disorder (SUD) (= 57) or iii) having recently immigrated (n = 39). They responded to questionnaires addressing sociodemographics, work-related factors, everyday activity, and well-being. A professional assessed their level of functioning and symptom severity.

RESULTS:

The young people with psychosis had a low education level, little work experience, the poorest worker role resources, and a low level of functioning, but a high quality of life. The SUD group had the fewest work experiences, were the least satisfied with work experiences, and had the lowest activity level, but had the least severe psychiatric symptoms. The immigrant group had severe psychiatric symptoms, but high ratings on work experiences, work resources, and activity level.

CONCLUSIONS:

Each group presented unique assets and limitations pertaining to work and employment, suggesting that they also needed unique support measures.

Personal responsibility for health? A phenomenographic analysis of general practitioners' conceptions

OBJECTIVE

To analyse and describe general practitioners' perceptions of the notion of a 'personal responsibility for health'.

DESIGN

Interview study, phenomenographic analysis.

SETTING

Swedish primary health care.

SUBJECTS

General Practitioners (GPs).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Using the phenomenographic method, the different views of the phenomenon (here: personal responsibility for health) were presented in an outcome space to illustrate the range of perceptions.

RESULTS

The participants found the notion of personal responsibility for health relevant to their practice. There was a wide range of perceptions regarding the origins of this responsibility, which was seen as coming from within yourself; from your relationships to specific others; and/or from your relationship with the generalized other. Furthermore, the expressions of this responsibility were perceived as including owning your health problem; not offloading all responsibility onto the GP; taking active measures to keep and improve health; and/or accepting help in health. The GP was described as playing a key role in shaping and defining the patient's responsibility for his/her health. Some aspects of personal responsibility for health roused strong emotions in the participants, especially situations where the patient was seen as offloading all responsibility onto the GP.

CONCLUSION

The notion of personal responsibility for health is relevant to GPs. However, it is open to a broad range of interpretations and modulated by the patient-physician interaction. This may make it unsuitable for usage in health care priority settings. More research is mandated to further investigate how physicians work with patient responsibility, and how this affects the patient-physician relationship and the physician's own well-being.Key PointsThe notion of personal responsibility for health has relevance for discussions about priority setting and person-centred care.This study, using a phenomenographic approach, investigated the views of Swedish GPs about the notion of personal responsibility for health.The participants found the notion relevant to their practice. They expressed a broad range of views of what a personal responsibility for health entails and how it arises. The GP was described as playing a key role in shaping and defining the patient's responsibilities for his/her health.The notion was emotionally charged to the participants, and when patients were seen as offloading all responsibility onto the GP this gave rise to frustration.

A study protocol of the photo-supported conversations about the well-being intervention (Be Well™) for people with stress related disorders

BACKGROUND

Stress-related illnesses constitute a huge problem in society. The primary care services in Sweden form the first line of care whose role is to coordinate interventions for reducing symptoms, as well as health-promoting interventions. There is lack of knowledge concerning health-promoting interventions for these illnesses. The aim of this study is to evaluate whether photo-supported conversations about well-being (Be Well™) as an intervention, in addition to care as usual within the primary care services, improves health and well-being for patients with stress-related illnesses. The intervention will be compared to a control group, who receive care as usual. A further aim is to conduct a process evaluation.

METHODS/DESIGN

This ongoing project has a quasi-experimental design, using quantitative and qualitative methods, and includes patients from primary care centres in two Swedish counties. Seventy patients, 20-67 years, with stress-related illnesses will be recruited. They constitute an intervention group, which receive the intervention together with care as usual, and a control group, which receive care as usual. The intervention, photo-supported conversations about well-being, involves 12 sessions. Care as usual entails medication, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and/or psychotherapy. Data collection is carried out at baseline, and outcomes are assessed directly after the intervention, as well as six months after completion of the intervention. The outcomes are evaluated based on factors related to health, well-being and everyday occupations. Furthermore, data concerning experiences of well-being and perceptions of the intervention will be collected in interviews. The therapists will also be interviewed about their experiences of performing the intervention. Data will be analysed with non-parametric statistics, and qualitative methodology.

DISCUSSION

The project is based on the concept that focusing on well-being despite living with stress-related illness may positively impact health and well-being as well as activity-related aspects, and that photo-supported conversations about well-being can contribute a complement to other treatment and rehabilitation. A strength is the use of a wide range of methods: such as quantitative measures, photographs, and qualitative interviews with participants and therapists. The results will thus provide knowledge about potential effects of this health-promoting intervention. Trial registration Clinical Trials.gov: NCT04832295; retrospectively registered 2nd April 2021 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04832295.

A cross-sectional study addressing the importance of work and other everyday activities for well-being among people with mental illness: does additional vulnerability matter?

BACKGROUND

Work and other everyday activities are beneficial for well-being among people with mental illness, but poor circumstances can create detrimental effects, possibly aggravated by additional vulnerabilities linked with their mental illness. This study aimed to investigate how activity factors were related to well-being and functioning among three vulnerable groups using outpatient mental health care - young people with psychosis, people with a history of substance use disorder (SUD), and immigrants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) - while controlling for vulnerability group, age and gender.

METHODS

Participants represented the three types of vulnerability (n = 46/57/39). Data collection, using self-report and interviewer-rated questionnaires, concerned aspects of everyday activity (work experiences; views of the worker role; satisfaction with everyday occupations; activity level), well-being (quality of life: life and health; quality of life: environmental aspects; recovery) and functioning (psychosocial functioning; symptom severity). Spearman correlations and General Linear Modelling were used.

RESULTS

Activity satisfaction was positive (p < 0.001) but recent work experience negative (p = 0.015) for the life and health aspect of quality of life. Activity satisfaction was positive for the environmental aspects of quality of life (p < 0.001). Resources for having a worker role (p < 0.001) and belief in having a future worker role (p = 0.007) were positively associated with better recovery. Activity level (p = 0.001) and resources for having a worker role (p = 0.004) showed positive associations with psychosocial functioning. Belief in a future worker role (p = 0.011) was related with symptom level. Women had less severe symptoms in the young group with psychosis. Regarding vulnerability group, young people with psychosis perceived better quality of life; those with a history of SUD had less severe psychiatric symptoms; and the recent immigrants with PTSD had the highest level of psychosocial functioning.

CONCLUSION

Work experience may not be conducive to well-being in itself; it is satisfaction with work and other activities that matters, and worker and employer expectations need alignment. No vulnerability group seemed consistently more disadvantaged regarding well-being and functioning, but the fact that differences existed is vital to acknowledge in activity-based rehabilitation. Inquiring about meaningful activities and providing opportunities for executing them would be a fruitful way of support.

Catching sight of well-being despite a stress-related disorder

BACKGROUND

Stress-related disorders cause suffering and difficulties in managing occupations and relationships in everyday life. A previous study of women with stress-related disorders, who photographed well-being and talked about the photographs in interviews, showed that moments of well-being still exist but further knowledge is needed about their perceptions of participating in such a study.

AIM

To describe how people with stress-related disorders experience taking photographs related to well-being in everyday life and reflecting on and talking about these photographs.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twelve women, 27-54 years with stress-related disorders were recruited from primary healthcare centres. They participated in interviews based on the photographs and qualitative content analysis was used.

RESULTS

One theme 'catching a glimpse of and momentarily capturing well-being' and four categories were identified: 'Photographing moments of well-being visualizes well-being', 'Using photographs could either facilitate or complicate the narrative', 'Changing perspective in everyday life' and 'Creating recollections of well-being'.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE

Introducing a focus on well-being in everyday life despite living with a stress-related disorder might contribute a valuable complement to stress rehabilitation for occupational therapists and other health professionals. Using photographs as a basis for reflections about everyday life and health/well-being also seems positive for this group.

Navigating in a Misty Landscape - Perceptions of Supporting a Relative Residing in Supported Housing for People with a Psychiatric Disability

The aim was to explore informal carers' perceptions of supporting the everyday life of a relative who has a psychiatric disability and resides in supported housing (SH). A qualitative study based on interviews with 12 informal carers was performed, and the data was analyzed with qualitative content analysis. The theme "Navigating in a misty landscape when striving to support a relative with a psychiatric disability" was identified, encompassing four categories pertaining to residents' needs, collaboration, environmental issues and the carer's situation. SH services can be enhanced by addressing informal carers' experiences and developing greater collaboration involving informal carers, residents and staff.

Experiences of meaning in garden therapy in outpatient psychiatric care in Sweden. A narrative study

BACKGROUND

Support has been found for using garden therapy as form of intervention for clients with common mental disorders, but no consensus has been found for what contributes to perceived meaningfulness of garden therapy.

AIMS

To investigate whether participants perceived garden therapy as meaningful, and if so, what contributed to the meaningfulness.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Narrative individual interviews were conducted twice with six participants who participated in garden therapy and once with two participants. Data was analysed using narrative methodology.

RESULTS

Perceived meanings in garden therapy were associated to the participants' individual needs and prerequisites: to land, just be, relax, go back to basics, understand, verbalise, enhance energy, and socialise. The group leaders had an important role to create safety and trust, and to adapt the activities and use of the environment. The activities, the garden environment and social group contributed to perceived meaning in garden therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Garden therapy offered the participants possibilities to meet their different needs and thereby perceived meaning. To achieve this, the group leaders need to adapt the gardening individually to each participant.

SIGNIFICANCE

Various components were perceived as meaningful. The group leaders therefore have to adapt the garden therapy to each participant's needs.

Factors associated with higher occupational balance in people with anxiety and/or depression who require occupational therapy treatment

BACKGROUND

Anxiety and depressive disorders are associated with problems with everyday occupations, including difficulties achieving occupational balance. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to describe occupational balance in people suffering from anxiety and/or depression and the factors that are associated with better self-rated occupational balance.

MATERIAL

One hundred and eighteen participants were recruited from outpatient mental health care and primary health care. The participants were 18-65 years, had a diagnosis of anxiety and/or depression, and had problems in everyday occupations. They answered questionnaires on occupational balance, psychological symptoms, quality of life and everyday occupations.

RESULTS

A generally low rating of occupational balance was found; however, the scores differed depending on the participants' degree of anxiety and depression, their quality of life, their occupational performance and satisfaction with their occupational performance. Logistic regression analyses revealed that high quality of life, high satisfaction with occupational performance and low level of depression were associated to occupational balance.

CONCLUSION

The results indicate that enhanced satisfaction with life and with performance of everyday occupations are relevant factors for achieving occupational balance in clients diagnosed with anxiety and/or depression.

SIGNIFICANCE

The results will be valuable for professionals working to support their clients in enhancing their occupational balance.

Employers' views of the impact of mental health problems on the ability to work

BACKGROUND

Mental health problems (MHP) are common in working life and can be hard to respond to for employers. Therefore, knowledge of employers' perceptions of employees with MHP is important to support coping efforts of persons and their work environments.

OBJECTIVE

Identify and characterise employers' perceptions of the impact of MHP on work ability.

METHODS

Twelve employers with experience of employees with MHP were interviewed. Data were analysed with a phenomenographic method.

RESULTS

The first main category, "Experiences of employees with MHP", included experiences of diffuse and unexpressed signs of the onset of MHP and frustration among employers and work-mates which was difficult to verbalise. MHP could also be turned off, thus having no impact on work ability. The second main category, "Strategies to handle effects of MHP in the workplace", included the importance of continual responsiveness and communication, and of fluctuating adaptations. The informants expressed diversity in the workplace as a strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

Employers have experiences of, as well as strategies for, how to handle MHP at times when they impact with the ability to work. However, neither experiences nor strategies were explicitly pronounced and verbalised which makes it a challenge to develop strategies and guidelines in workplaces.

Treatment of depression and/or anxiety - outcomes of a randomised controlled trial of the tree theme method® versus regular occupational therapy

BACKGROUND

Depression and anxiety disorders are a major concern in western countries, and because these often have a negative affect on everyday life interventions based on activities in everyday life are needed. The Tree Theme Method® (TTM) is a client-centred occupational therapy intervention designed to increase the ability to cope with, and to enhance satisfaction with, everyday life, both at home and at work. The aim of this study was to compare the short term outcomes of the TTM intervention with regular occupational therapy treatment for people with depression and/or anxiety disorders.

METHODS

This randomised controlled trial included patients from three counties in Sweden. Men and women with depression and/or anxiety disorders, ages 18 to 65, were randomised to either TTM or regular occupational therapy. Assessment data were collected at baseline and the follow-up directly after completing the intervention. Non-parametric and parametric statistical methods were used.

RESULTS

The questionnaires were answered by 118 patients at baseline and by 107 patients after completing the intervention. No significant differences in short term outcomes were found between the groups. Both groups showed positive significant outcomes regarding almost all aspects of activities in everyday life, psychological symptoms, and health-related and intervention-related aspects.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the lack of differences between the groups, the positive outcomes regarding activities in everyday life, psychological symptoms, and health-related aspects after completing the intervention indicates the need for further research on the long-term perspective of TTM compared to regular occupational therapy.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trials.gov: NCT01980381 ; registered November 2013.

[Patients' experiences of orgasm changes and loss of ejaculation after radical prostatectomy]

Patients' experiences of orgasm changes and loss of ejaculation after radical prostatectomy   In this study we report on men's experiences of orgasm changes and loss of ejaculation after radical prostatectomy. Ten men, all recruited through a Swedish hospital, were interviewed and data was analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The results showed that the experience of orgasm has weakened but that the loss of ejaculation was not perceived as a loss per se. However, the risk of urine release during orgasm was troublesome and inhibiting. These challenges were framed within an existential narrative about sexuality, as expressed in preoperative sexual farewell rituals and postoperative feelings of ambivalence and regret. These findings can be used in the design of patient information and for sexual rehabilitation treatment.

Young people with psychiatric disabilities and their views of day centres

Young people with psychiatric disabilities may require support in structuring their everyday life. To learn more about the relevance of day centres in this respect, this study aimed to examine the experiences of young people with psychiatric disabilities. A particular focus was on the perceptions of meaningful occupation when visiting day centres, their reasons for not choosing this option when given it and what they desired instead. A qualitative design based on individual interviews was used. Twelve women and eight men between 18 and 35 years, with a need for organized daily occupations, participated as informants. Qualitative content analysis revealed three categories: 'Being in a context', 'Balancing between developing and stagnating', and 'Longing for something more'. The findings indicated that the occupations were inherently age neutral, as were the possibilities for socializing. There was a desire for more activities in the community and more support for engaging in occupations that other young people did. A major issue in the accomplishment of this was the need to earn money, and the lack of opportunities for doing that in the day centre context was a considerable drawback. The findings highlight the importance of identifying young people's views when designing day centres.

The concept of `work ability' from the view point of employers

BACKGROUND

Since work ability is manifested in working life and ``bought'' by employers, employers perceptions of the concept are important to understand. Studies have shown that people with health problems want to take part in the labour market, but experience difficulties in gaining access. Additionally, studies have demonstrated the doubt felt by employers when they consider hiring a person with a disability.

OBJECTIVE

The aim was to identify and characterise employers' conceptions of work ability.

METHODS

The study design was qualitative with a phenomenographic approach. Six male and six female employers from various workplaces and geographical areas in Sweden were interviewed.

RESULTS

Three domains were identified: employees' contributions to work ability, employers' contributions to work ability and circumstances with limited work ability. Work ability was regarded as a tool in production and its output, production, was the main issue. The employees' commitment and interest could bridge other shortcomings.

CONCLUSIONS

The employers highlighted their own contributions in shaping work ability in order to fit with work circumstances. Health problems were not the only limiting issues; other circumstances, such as individual characteristics and contextual factors, could limit work ability too. Knowing the importance of commitment and interest is valuable in work rehabilitation.

The Tree Theme Method® (TTM), an occupational therapy intervention for treating depression and anxiety: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial

Background

Depression and anxiety disorders are increasing among the general population in the Western world. Individuals may need several kinds of treatment in order to maintain health, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and drug treatment. However, having an everyday life that “works” is also important, suggesting a need for interventions based on activities that facilitate a satisfying everyday life. There is still lack of such evidence-based interventions. The Tree Theme Method^® (TTM) is an occupational therapy intervention designed for a client-centred context in which an individual develops strategies to become an actor in his or her everyday life. Previous studies of the TTM have focused on process evaluation; therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the method’s effects. The aim of this paper is to outline an intervention that can evaluate the effects of the TTM in terms of psychological symptoms, as well as everyday occupations and well-being, in patients suffering from depression and anxiety.

Methods/Design

This randomized clinical trial includes patients from three Swedish counties randomized to either intervention or treatment as usual. Men and women aged 18–65 years who have been diagnosed with either depression or anxiety are eligible for inclusion. Data collection is carried out at baseline, and outcomes are assessed at the end of intervention, as well as at 3 months and 12 months after intervention ends. The outcomes measured are psychological symptoms, everyday activities, and health-related factors.

Discussion

Depression and anxiety may create difficulties for individuals in the activities of their everyday lives to the extent that they require diagnosis and intervention. Despite this reality, evidence-based interventions that focus on everyday activities are lacking. Therefore, it would be useful to design a specific method for occupational therapy intervention that does precisely that. This study provides insight into the effects of the TTM, comparing it to occupational therapy treatment as usual.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01980381; registered November 2013.

Problem-based self-care groups versus cognitive behavioural therapy for persons on sick leave due to common mental disorders: a randomised controlled study

PURPOSE

To evaluate the interventional capacity of problem based method groups (PBM) regarding mental health and work ability compared to cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for persons on sick leave due to common mental disorders.

METHODS

In a randomised controlled design the experimental group received PBM and the control group received CBT. Outcomes were measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Stress and Crisis Inventory 93 (SCI-93) and the Dialogue about Working Ability instrument (DOA).

RESULTS

Twenty-two participants in the PBM group and 28 in the CBT group completed intervention. Both groups showed significant lower scores on the two HADS subscales. Regarding stress the PBM group showed significant decrease in one (out of three) subscales of SCI-93. The CBT group showed significant decrease on all subscales of SCI-93. Regarding work ability the PBM group showed significant higher scores on one of five subscales of DOA. The CBT group showed significant higher scores on four of five subscales of DOA. Between groups there were significant differences to the favour of CBT on one of two subscales of HADS, all three subscales of SCI-93 and on two of the five subscales of DOA.

CONCLUSION

PBM seem to be able to reduce anxiety- and depression symptoms. CBT showed to be superior to PBM in reducing symptoms in all aspects of mental health, except for anxiety, in which they seem equally effective. Regarding work ability CBT showed to be superior, with significant effect on more aspects compared to PBM.

Effectiveness of an intervention to improve day centre services for people with psychiatric disabilities

Background/aim

Day centres for people with psychiatric disabilities need to be evaluated for effectiveness in order to provide the best possible support. This study aimed at investigating the effectiveness of a tailor-made intervention to improve day centre services for people with psychiatric disabilities.

Methods

The intervention was devised to bridge identified gaps in the services and lasted for 14 months. Eight centres were allotted to the intervention (55 attendees) or comparison condition (51 attendees). Fidelity to the intervention and major events in the day centres were assessed. The outcomes were degree of meaningfulness found in the day centre occupations, satisfaction with the rehabilitation received, satisfaction with everyday occupations and quality of life.

Results

The fidelity to the intervention was good, but more positive events, such as new occupational opportunities, had taken place in the comparison units. No differences were identified between the intervention and the comparison group regarding changes from baseline to the 14-month follow-up in perceived meaningfulness among day centre occupations, satisfaction with everyday occupations or quality of life.

Conclusions

The intervention seemed ineffective, but the positive events in the comparison group resembled the measures included in the tailor-made interventions. This first intervention study in the day centre context has hopefully helped to generate hypotheses and methods for future research.

Client perceptions of the Tree Theme Method&#x2122;: a structured intervention based on storytelling and creative activities

The Tree Theme Method (TTM) is an intervention based on sessions involving creative activities and life storytelling/story-making, in which the client paints trees representing various periods of his/her life. The aim of this study was to investigate clients' experiences of participating in a TTM intervention and their perceptions of the therapeutic relationship. Thematic interviews were undertaken. Twenty clients attending general outpatient mental healthcare units were recruited after having participated in the intervention. A qualitative content analysis resulted in six categories: “From feeling a pressure to perform to becoming focused and expressive”, “Expressing oneself and one's life situation led to awakening of memories and feelings”, “New perspectives of self-image, everyday life and relations to others”, “Story-making led to shaping and reconstructing one's life story”, “Interaction was of importance when reconstructing one's life story” and, finally, “The attitude of the occupational therapist was of importance for the development of the therapeutic relationship”. There seemed to be a close association between the intervention and the therapeutic relationship in starting a process of opening up new perspectives on everyday life, but there is a need for further studies including therapists' experience of using the TTM and their perception of the client–therapist relationship.

The Tree Theme Method in Psychosocial Occupational Therapy: A Case Study

This study aimed to describe the Tree Theme Method (TTM) as a method for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. The TTM is based on theories concerning creative activities and occupational storytelling and story making. In order to exemplify the method a case study of a treatment process with follow up was undertaken. The participant was a female client suffering from anxiety and depression. During an interview the client painted symbolic trees on five different occasions with specific variations of the tree theme: a tree symbolizing her present life, her childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and, finally, a tree representing her future. The trees were used as starting points for the client to tell her life story. The intention was that she would find new strategies for how to change her daily life. Three years later there was a follow up stage where the client painted new trees and told her story. Some life themes were identified. The TTM appears suitable for intervention in psychosocial occupational therapy. In future studies the TTM should be subjected to evaluation research based on several clients in order to develop a deeper understanding of the process and what kind of results changes in the TTM intervention may provide.

Content Validity, Clinical Utility, Sensitivity to Change and Discriminant Ability of the Swedish Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) Instrument: A Screening Tool for People with Mental Disorders

A screening tool for assessing satisfaction with daily occupations among people with mental illness has been devised — the Swedish version of the Satisfaction with Daily Occupations (SDO) instrument — comprising a satisfaction scale and an activity level scale. The aim was to investigate the SDO for content validity, clinical utility, sensitivity to change and discriminant ability.

Nine occupational therapists evaluated the content validity of the SDO. Sensitivity to change was assessed on a sample of 36 clients in psychosocial occupational therapy. Discriminant ability was evaluated by comparing four samples: (1) 103 clients with a diagnosis of severe mental illness, (2) 55 clients attending an outpatient mental health clinic, (3) 36 women with a diagnosis of systemic sclerosis and (4) 40 healthy women.

The SDO rendered positive ratings regarding content validity, but some rewording of items was indicated as well as clearer instructions. Both the satisfaction scale and the activity level scale were found to be responsive to change. Discriminant ability was shown in that, in particular, the activity level score distinguished the mentally ill participants from the other samples.

The SDO was shown to reflect the targeted phenomenon satisfactorily and to be sensitive enough to detect change following an occupational therapy intervention. However, so far only the Swedish version of the SDO has been studied, but an English version is available whose cross-cultural validity should be examined.