Search

Aim: This scoping review aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of VR technology in the aged-care setting. Background: Virtual reality (VR) offers the potential to reduce social isolation and loneliness through increased social engagement in aged-care settings. Methods and Analysis: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and took place between March and August 2022. The review included a three-step search strategy: (1) identifying keywords from CINHAL, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science (2) conducting a second search using all identified keywords and index terms across selected databases; and (3) searching the reference lists of all included articles and reports for additional studies. Results: The final review included 22 articles. The analysis identified factors affecting the VR technology implementation in aged care settings to reduce isolation and loneliness: (a) key facilitators are local champions and staff training. (b) barriers include technological adaptability, video quality, and organizational culture. Conclusion: Existing evidence points to VR as a promising intervention to decrease loneliness and feelings of isolation and improve social engagement in older people living in aged-care settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID‐19 pandemic has significant impact on long‐term care (LTC) residents' health and well‐being. Objectives: This study investigated resident experiences of loneliness during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Canadian LTC homes to offer lessons learned and implications. Methods: 15 residents and 16 staff members were recruited from two large urban Canadian LTC homes with large outbreaks and fatalities. We used a telepresence robot to conduct one‐on‐one semi‐structured interviews with participants remotely. We applied the Collaborative Action Research (CAR) methodology and report the early phase of CAR focused on collecting data and reporting findings to inform actions for change. Thematic analysis was performed to identify themes. Results: Four themes were identified. The first two themes characterise what commonly generated feelings of loneliness amongst residents, including (1) social isolation and missing their family and friends and (2) feeling hopeless and grieving for lives lost. The second two themes describe what helped residents alleviate loneliness, including (3) social support and (4) creating opportunities for recreation and promoting positivity. Conclusions: Residents living in LTC experienced significant social isolation and grief during the pandemic that resulted in loneliness and other negative health consequences. Implications for practice: Promoting meaningful connection, safe recreational activities and a positive atmosphere in LTC homes during the pandemic may help mitigate residents' experiences of loneliness due to social isolation and/or grief and enhance their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Despite being widely used with older adults in the community, there is limited literature on using the de Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale with older adults living in long-term care (LTC). Objective: The purpose of this article is to discuss the considerations of using this scale with older adults in LTC. Method: Our team consisted of older person and family partners, a clinician, and academic researchers working together in all stages of research using the Loneliness scale to conduct individual interviews with 20 older adults in LTC in Vancouver, Canada, as part of a study exploring the experience of loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Team reflection was embedded in the research process, with reflection data consisting of data transcripts, field notes, and regular team meeting notes. Thematic analysis was employed to identify lessons learned and implications. Findings: Participants had various challenges responding to the scale. Our analysis identified five themes: a) diverse meanings of loneliness, b) multi-faceted factors of loneliness, c) technical challenges, d) social desirability, and e) situational experience. We also offer five recommendations to consider when using this scale with older adults in LTC. Limitations: We used this scale with a small sample of older adults in LTC, which is a more time and labour-intensive population. Data on marital status and educational background was not collected but might help in understanding considerations for using the scale with older adults in LTC. Implications: We offer practical recommendations for using the scale with older adults in LTC, especially how qualitative open-ended questions can complement the scale by providing useful insights into context and complex experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Occupational balance is a person's subjective perception of the amount and variation of their everyday activities. Evidence suggests an association between occupational balance and health. However, the impact of arthritis on occupational balance and its association with health is unclear. This exploratory study was undertaken to examine associations between occupational balance and measures of health and between‐group differences in adults with and without inflammatory arthritis (IA). Methods: In a cross‐sectional study, participants completed the 11‐item Occupational Balance Questionnaire (OBQ‐11) and the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey (physical and mental component summary scores) and provided demographic information. Telomere lengths were analyzed from dried blood spots. Results: A total of 143 adults participated (67 with IA, 76 from the healthy comparison [HC] group). Occupational balance was higher in the HC group than in the IA group (mean difference 3.5 [95% confidence interval 1.0, 5.9; P = 0.01]), but this difference was not statistically significant when adjusted for physical health. The association between occupational balance and physical health was stronger in the IA group (R2 = 0.17, P = 0.001) than in the HC group (R2 = 0.05, P = 0.05). Occupational balance was associated with mental health (R2 = 0.26, P < 0.001) but not associated with telomere length (R2 = 0.02, P = 0.24). Conclusion: Occupational balance is associated with mental health for all participants and associated with physical health and disease activity in participants with IA. Attention to assessment of and strategies for improving occupational balance in rehabilitation practice and arthritis self‐management programs may contribute to sustaining physical and mental health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Empirical studies on occupation as a determinant of health could be advanced with research incorporating biological measures of health. Telomere length and telomerase function are promising biomarkers of the interaction of genetics, lifestyle, and behaviour; however, they have not been used in occupational therapy research. Purpose. This paper reviews current evidence on the role of physical and mindfulness activities in sustaining telomeres. The findings are applied to the study of occupation, health, and aging. Method. A rapid review was conducted with an evidence synthesis of 23 studies published from 2008 to 2014. Findings. Mindfulness activities may preserve telomeres, slow cell senescence and death, and sustain health through mediating life stressors. Inconsistencies exist for the effect of physical activities on telomeres. Implications. Similar research examining a range of occupations may help to identify the health-promoting benefits of occupation and inform lifestyle interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This article presents a review of the current literature on knowledge transfer in the use of technology, amongst children and adolescents. Participants: Researchers, teachers, children, adolescents, and related stakeholders are the targeted users of this paper. Methods: A scoping review and detailed analysis of the review based on ergonomic outcomes of comfort, safety and productivity. Results: The review revealed very few studies addressing the knowledge use and transfer with children or adolescents in this topic area. Current literature on knowledge transfer requires more rigorous evaluation, as well as use of explicit health, occupational and ergonomic outcomes. Conclusions: This paper concludes the need for a call for future research in the area of knowledge transfer to promote healthy and safe use of technology, in the population of children and adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]