Clinical Research Directory

Development of a Clinical Skills Teaching Video Database in Occupational Therapy

This study aims to develop a video and audio database for teaching and learning clinical skills in occupational therapy. The database will include recordings of clinical teaching sessions, skill demonstrations, student practice, and interactions between occupational therapists, trainees, and patients or family members. Participants may include occupational therapists involved in clinical teaching, occupational therapy interns or postgraduate trainees, and adult patients or family members who receive occupational therapy services. Participation involves voluntary video or audio recording of clinical teaching or therapy-related activities after informed consent is obtained. This study does not involve any experimental treatment, intervention, or comparison of outcomes. The collected materials will be securely stored, anonymized, and organized for future educational use and research on clinical skills teaching and assessment in occupational therapy.

Effectiveness of Online Program and Task-related Training for Parkinson's Disease

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effectiveness of online self-management program and on-site task-related training for people with early stage Parkinson's disease. people with early stage of Parkinson's disease (age range: 45-70 years) will be randomly assigned into the following three groups: control group, online self-management program group and on-site task-related training group.The control group will receive no treatment during the experimental period. For the other two groups, participants will receive the intervention twice a week, one hour per session and 12 sessions in total. The main questions it aims to answer are: 1. the potential impact of motor and non-motor symptoms on activity participation and quality of life for people with early stage of Parkinson's disease (PD). 2. compare and examine the the effectiveness of online self-management program and on-site task-related training for people with early stage Parkinson's disease on activity participation and quality of life.

Multisensory Environment-Based Occupational Therapy for Alzheimer's Patients

This study aims to examine the effects of a multisensory environment-based occupational therapy intervention on sensory processing, cognitive status, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and caregiver burden in individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Non-pharmacological approaches in Alzheimer's management have been shown to slow functional decline, reduce behavioral symptoms, and improve caregivers' well-being. Multisensory environments provide visual, auditory, tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, olfactory, and gustatory stimuli to support sensory integration and enhance engagement, particularly in individuals with cognitive and communication difficulties. The study will be conducted using a randomized controlled design and will include individuals aged 65 years and older with moderate-stage Alzheimer's disease and their primary caregivers. The intervention will be implemented over four weeks with two sessions per week. Outcome measures will include the Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile,Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment-Geriatric version, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, and Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory. The study is expected to contribute to the evidence base supporting sensory-based occupational therapy interventions in dementia care.

Virtual Activities of Living for Occupational Rehabilitation

Duke University will serve as the clinical research site for the Phase II RCT of the VALOR system, which enables telehealth delivery of evidence-based upper extremity (UE) stroke therapy in a patient's home using immersive VR headset technology for guided practice of activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs). The study compares VALOR Home Exercise Program (HEP) to Usual Care Treatment (UCT) in adults with stroke-related UE impairment.

Gamified Occupational Therapy for Adolescents With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

This research aims to improve the quality of life, occupational performance, occupational satisfaction and emotional health of young people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy compared to the classical occupational therapy program. The findings are planned to shed light on the development of new and effective strategies in the rehabilitation of adolescents with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Studying Rehabilitation Treatments Using Video to Improve Recovery for Adults With Physical Disabilities

This study aims to better understand how occupational therapists provide rehabilitation for adults recovering from stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI), with a focus on improving arm and hand function. Using video recordings of real outpatient therapy sessions, researchers will identify the key elements of treatment, such as the types of activities, the therapist's techniques, and how patients respond. The study will use the Rehabilitation Treatment Specification System (RTSS), a framework designed to clearly describe rehabilitation methods. By analyzing these sessions, the research team will develop a practical toolkit to help therapists and researchers deliver and study more effective rehabilitation treatments in the future.

Occupation-Based Multicomponent Intervention to Reduce Fall Risk in Older Adults

This study aims to examine the effects of an occupation-based, multicomponent occupational therapy intervention on older adults aged 65 years and above with a history of falls living in the community. The intervention consists of 12 individualized sessions designed around the participants' meaningful occupations. It incorporates balance and gait training, environmental modifications, behavioral strategies, and safety-enhancing activities within a holistic framework. The sample will include 40 older adults who have experienced at least one fall in the past year. Data will be collected using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), Tinetti Balance and Gait Test, Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Pre- and post-intervention measurements will be compared to evaluate the program's effects on occupational performance, satisfaction, balance, and gait functions. The study is expected to provide valuable evidence on the effectiveness of occupation-based approaches in fall prevention interventions for older adults.

Understanding the Lived Experience and Bereavement of Caregivers of People With Alzheimer's Disease

The main objective of this study is to explore the lived experience of caregivers and family members of people with Alzheimer's disease (AD), from the beginning of caregiving through the bereavement process following the patient's death. Using a mixed-methods design, qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interviews and combined with quantitative data obtained from standardized scales. The results will aim to determine whether prolonged caregiving significantly affects the caregiver's or family member's personal, emotional, and occupational well-being, as well as whether it leads to a reorganization of activities of daily living (ADL), an increased perception of burden, and/or a decreased quality of life. The study will also examine the presence of positive adaptation experiences.

Validation of the Screen of Cancer Survivorship - Occupational Therapy Services (SOCS-OTS) Tool for Use in a Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Clinic

To compare the results of the SOCS-OTS to another standardized screening measure that is currently being used by rehabilitation services at MD Anderson Cancer Center and to ensure that the SOCS-OTS correctly identifies those individuals needing OT services in cancer care.

Effect of Occupational Therapy at Home E-Rehabilitation (OTHER) for Persons Post-stroke

The goal of this (cost)effectiveness study is to compare care as usual with OTHER-intervention in Cerebro Vascular Accident (CVA) older adults in Geriatric Rehabilitation (GR). The main question\[s\] it aims to answer are: 1. What is the effectiveness of OTHER, as compared to occupational therapy as usual (CAU), on improving the self-perceived performance in daily activities of community-dwelling older persons post-stroke over a 24-week period after initiation of OTHER or CAU, as measured longitudinally (at week 4, 13 and 26)? Secondary: 2. What is the effectiveness of OTHER on improving satisfaction with the perceived daily performance of community-dwelling persons post-stroke, 26 weeks after start compared to usual OT? (quantitative approach) 3. What is the effectiveness of OTHER on improving physical activity of community-dwelling persons post-stroke, 26 weeks after start compared to usual OT? (quantitative approach) 4. What is the effectiveness of OTHER on improving self-management of community-dwelling persons post-stroke, 26 weeks after start compared to usual OT? (quantitative approach) 5. How do persons post-stroke and OT's experience and how do they reflect on OTHER in supporting a sense of self-management, safety and improving daily functioning? (qualitative approach). 6. What factors influenced the intervention delivery and the perceived benefits in the OTHER study (process evaluation)? 1) monitoring treatment fidelity, barriers and facilitators for implementation; 2) gain insight into the impact of OTHER on the GR transition to home; 3) to gain insight into what stroke survivors and OT's think of OTHER. 4) how participants, and professionals experience and thoughts they have on the OTHER-intervention in supporting daily functioning and self-management Cost-effectiveness 7. What is the cost-effectiveness of OTHER on improving self-perceived performance in daily activities and Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) of community-dwelling persons post-stroke, 26 weeks after start compared to usual OT? (quantitative approach) Participants will get the OTHER-intervention treatment given by de occupational therapist which consists of activity monitoring, coaching and videoconferencing to optimalise the transition from clinical care to home. Researchers will compare care as usual to see if there is a effect on improving the self-perceived performance in daily activities, self-management and improving physical activity .

Effect Of Awareness and Occupatıonal Practıces On Menopausal Women's Psychologıcal Wellbeıng And Menopausal Symptoms

Non-drug methods are frequently preferred in menopausal symptoms, especially in mental effects, and their effectiveness on symptoms is remarkable. Non-drug methods mainly used in the management of postmenopausal symptoms are sports, avoiding bad habits, paying attention to diet and increasing fluid intake, wearing comfortable clothes. In addition, there are many supportive methods such as stress reduction meditation practices, garden therapies, breathing and physical exercise practices, aromatherapy. Among the most frequently used coping methods of women experiencing menopausal symptoms such as irritability and anxiety/anxiety, it was found that 'paying attention to different things (housework, cleaning, cooking, handicrafts, etc.)' was among the most frequently used coping methods. In this direction, it is thought that occupational practice may have positive effects on menopausal symptoms in women. Engagement practices are one of the methods widely used in recent years to cope with anxiety, depression and stress. Our study aimed to measure the effectiveness of mindfulness-based practices on menopausal symptoms and psychological well-being in menopausal women by blending mindfulness-based practices and busyness practices, and in this sense, it is anticipated that it will make a significant contribution to the literature. Objective: This study will be conducted to determine the effect of mindfulness-based and occupational practices on psychological well-being and menopausal symptoms in menopausal women. Materials and Methods: The research will be conducted as a randomised controlled experimental study in a four-group, parallel, pretest-posttest design. The research is planned to be conducted between December 2024 and December 2025. The population of the study consists of women in menopause who applied to the ASM in the centre of Kars between December 2024 and December 2025. The sample of the study will consist of women who meet the inclusion criteria among these women. As a result of the power analysis performed in the G\*Power version 3.1.9.7 programme, it was determined that a total of 76 participants, at least 19 people in each of the intervention and control groups, with a sample size, 95% confidence, 95% test power (1-ß), 0.05% margin of error level, d = 0.25 effect size (Kang, 2021). Considering 10% possible data loss in the study, it was planned to include 20 women in each of the intervention and control groups.

The Effects of a Dynamic Arm Support in Daily Life

The goal of this mixed method study is to learn about how a dynamic arm support device (DAS) helps people with everyday activities. The study focuses on people with neuro(-muscular) conditions, age 16 and older. The research questions that are formulated, are: * How does a person experience their daily activities, with and without a DAS? * What are the contextual (external and personal) factors that influence the use of a DAS? Participants will take part in three testing sessions. In each session, they must complete a few questionnaires and participate in an interview. The first time, without DAS. In the second and third session, they will be using their DAS (resp. 3 to 4 weeks and 3 months). The data collection will be executed by phone, digital questionnaires and/or paper.

Trapeziectomy and Suture Suspensionplasty for Thumb Carpometacarpal Arthritis - Is In-Clinic Therapy Needed?

The study is a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of formal occupational therapy on outcomes following CMC arthroplasty

Evaluating the Practice Resource for Driving After Stroke

After stroke, individuals must be assessed to determine if they can resume driving. Return to driving is very important to people who have experienced a stroke. Unfortunately, health care providers face challenges in addressing driving after stroke. Common issues include being unsure of the best screening practices, difficulty discussing driving with patients, and challenges making informed recommendations about driving that balance the risk of public safety along with supporting patient goals. Occupational Therapists (OTs) are health care providers that provide screening, assessment, and intervention for driving to individuals who have had a stroke. OTs working in stroke care have highlighted the urgency for evidence-based resources to support practice to address driving with patients. The Practice Resource for Driving After Stroke (PReDAS), is an evidenced-based resource to support the clinical practice of OTs in addressing driving in acute stroke settings. A previous pilot study has demonstrated that the PReDAS is considered useful by both health care providers and patients. Further study is needed to evaluate how the PReDAS can support OTs in addressing driving with patients. The current study proposes to provide the PReDAS as an intervention to OTs working in acute stroke settings to see if the intervention increases OT's self efficacy and clinical reasoning for addressing driving. The study will take repeated measures of self-efficacy and clinical reasoning among participating OTs to determine if the PReDAS intervention supports improved self-efficacy and clinical reasoning.