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ABSTRACTTo decrease the spread of the COVID-19 virus, public health officials in British Columbia, Canada ordered large-scale physical distancing requirements, leading to school and business closures, banning of large gatherings, and travel restrictions. These requirements shifted people’s occupational repertoires, with vulnerable populations (e.g., those with chronic health conditions) possibly being differentially impacted. To learn more about people’s occupational changes, we conducted a before-and-after study during the first wave of COVID-19 on occupations and well-being of adults with and without inflammatory arthritis (IA). We invited participants from a prior study to repeat selected measures to assess the impact of pandemic restrictions. Occupations, occupational balance, stress, life satisfaction, and physical and mental health were measured in participants during pre-pandemic (April 2019-March 12, 2020; Time 1) and phase one pandemic restrictions (March 16-May 19, 2020, Time 2). Of 143 adults from the pre-pandemic study, 71 agreed to participate in a Time 2 online survey. Six categories of occupation were identified at Time 1, using Personal Projects Analysis (a tool to explore and measure occupation). At Time 2, there was less variety in health-related occupations, along with a decrease in community-oriented occupations and an increase in occupations around the home. Occupations were characterized as having greater time adequacy at Time 2 than Time 1. Occupational balance and stress scores were higher at Time 2 in both groups, and mental health scores lower at Time 2 only in the healthy comparison group. These pre/post and between-group comparisons contribute to nuanced understandings of the impact of chronic illness and short-term societal disruptions on occupations and well-being.

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). 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. 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). 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.

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.

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.

The article discusses the strategies for management of work transitions with patients suffering from intermittent work capacity (IWC) and chronic pain. The authors encourage the occupational therapists to use these strategies, including the micro, meso, and macro level strategies, for facilitating work-related transitions in a holistic way. They also suggest that occupational therapists should advocate for their clients' needs and also identify new strategies using related literature.