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Date Presented 03/28/20 HSCT is a lengthy and debilitating cancer treatment. Caregivers of HSCT recipients report distress and reductions in their own self-care. A caregiver wellness intervention based on behavioral activation was developed and implemented in order to assess its feasibility and acceptability. Future research will explore the efficacy of the intervention, which is well-suited for delivery by OTs working in cancer rehabilitation. Primary Author and Speaker: Jamme Morency Additional Authors and Speakers: Kathleen Lyons Contributing Authors: Lynn Root, Kate Caldon, Christi Hayes, Susan Brighton

OBJECTIVE. The objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a future full-scale trial to test the efficacy of an in-home occupational therapy intervention designed to reduce disability in older adult cancer survivors. METHOD. Participants reporting activity limitations during or after cancer treatment were enrolled in a Phase 1 pilot randomized controlled trial comparing the 6-wk intervention (n = 30) to usual care (n = 29). Descriptive data on retention rates were collected to assess feasibility of intervention and study procedures. Potential efficacy was explored through participants’ self-reported disability, quality of life, activity level, and behavioral activation at 0, 8, and 16 wk after enrollment. RESULTS. Retention rates were high regarding completion of the intervention (90%) and outcome assessments (90% of usual-care participants and 80% of intervention participants). Outcomes consistently favored the intervention group, although group differences were small. CONCLUSION. The procedures were feasible to implement and acceptable to participants.

Occupational therapy is based on core values of altruism, equality, and honoring the dignity of others. Embedded in these values is the ever-present negotiation of power. To honor the concern for the welfare of others, researchers are challenged to think about issues of power throughout the research process. This paper identifies dilemmas and raises questions researchers might ask themselves as they struggle to share power in the interpretive research process.

OBJECTIVE. In this pilot study of a home-based occupational therapy intervention intended to reduce disability and improve quality of life, our objective was to identify rates of goal attainment and patterns of goal adjustment of participants. METHOD. Thirty older adults with cancer were randomized to the intervention arm, and 24 participants identified goals and completed the six-session intervention. An exploratory content analysis of qualitative and quantitative session data was performed. RESULTS. Participants set 63 6-wk goals and attained 62% of them. Most of the goals addressed walking (28%), sedentary leisure (24%), exercising (16%), or instrumental activities of daily living (14%). When 6-wk goals were not attained (n = 24), there were 10 instances of goal disengagement and 14 instances of goal reengagement. CONCLUSION. Although most participants were able to meet their goals, many also changed their goals and priorities after reflection and attempts to resume or initiate meaningful activities.

Date Presented 3/31/2017 The implementation of a client-centered self-management program at an urban safety net hospital fills an important gap in the expansion of rehabilitation programs for breast cancer survivors and demonstrates an opportunity for occupational therapy to meet the needs of this underserved population. Primary Author and Speaker: Robin Newman Additional Authors and Speakers: Kathleen Lyons Contributing Authors: Kate Festa, Naomi Ko